Abstract

방승희 숫자 3의 유희: 단테의 "신곡" ｢지옥｣ 편과 셰익스피어의 "로미오와 줄리엣" 31 ~ 54  Medieval and Early Modern English Studies Volume 25 No. 2 (2017)
        [Bahng, Seunghee   Play of Number 3: Cantos 1 and 5 in Inferno, The Divine Comedy and Romeo and Juliet 


This paper examines the symbolic significances and various meanings of the number 3 in Dante's Inferno, The Divine Comedy, and Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Symbolically, the perfect number 3 is God’s number, signifying completeness, fulfillment, balance, and harmony. Dante uses the number 3 to symbolize Order, Resurrection, Unification with God, and the image of Love; more generally, he uses the number 3 to indicate perfection and completeness. The repetition of words and phrases, terza rima, or consecutive tercets, that include the number 3, creates a kind of euphony, and thereby emphasizes Dante’s intentions. Shakespeare uses the number 3 purposefully to structure his plot and the situations his characters encounter. In this way, he seeks to highlight the significances of the number 3. However, unlike Dante’s pursuit of meanings, Shakespeare devotes significant attention to structure, plot, and character. The number 3 has more various meanings in Shakespeare's drama than in The Divine Comedy; in fact, Shakespeare specializes in playing with the number 3 in a form of triad. The first space made with three lines, a triangle, relates to the number 3. A triangle makes the space. Such a space, so-called ‘triad’, is the first and perfect figure. It also represents God. Furthermore, it suggests the opening of a creative space, a space of the imagination. Shakespeare uses a space of triad to create confusion and irony. These are some of what the number 3 plays around.

Keywords

숫자 3, 단테, 셰익스피어, 󰡔신곡󰡕 중 ｢지옥｣, 󰡔로미오와 줄리엣󰡕, 사랑, 트리아드
the number 3, Dante, Shakespeare, Inferno in The Divine Comedy, Romeo and Juliet, love, triad.