초록 열기/닫기 버튼
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the historical background that illuminates the 1951 Hamlet staged by the theatrical company Shinhyup (meaning ‘new cooperation’) and its aspect as a wartime drama. It also discusses the company’s unique involvement in the war effort which had been rarely discussed. It is significant to note that Shinhyup went on tour, in both cities and the countryside, during the war under the sponsorship of the Army and the Air Force. Looking at the existing records of Shinhyup’s 1951 Hamlet, however sketchy, such as performance location, costume, acting style, reviews, and records of the military, will help us understand not only the performance’s historical and cultural significance as a wartime drama, but also the fact that the success of Shinhyup’s Hamlet was closely linked to the military’s morale education. The discussion is divided into two sections. First I review the 1951 performance of Hamlet and its importance of staging Shakespeare plays in shaping Korea’s collective memory during the war. Second, I look into the historical situation in which Shakespeare’s plays were conceived as a patriotic contribution to the war effort. In reflecting on the special relationship of Shakespeare with the Korean War from a different perspective, we can confirm that the 1951 performance of Hamlet functioned as a perfect medium for shaping Korea’s collective memory and how, as a wartime drama, it contributed to the war effort in many different ways.
