The Narratives of Odysseus and Seok Talhae, a Study in Maritime Culture and the Dialectic of Enlightenment: On the Origin of Rationality

Abstract

This article examines maritime culture and rationality by comparing the mythic narratives of Odysseus and Seok Talhae, according to the theory of “dialectic of enlightenment”. The Odyssey by Homer records Odysseus’s voyage after the Trojan War. Similarly, according to Samguk Sagi and Samguk Yusa, Seok Talhae became king of Silla after a long and arduous sea voyage. These two epic heroes represent enlightenment and rationality, since both broke from the mythical veil of older cultures. As leaders who responded rationally, they launched a world where conquest through seafaring exploits was the main interest. This rational worldview can be traced back to the sea peoples, who first appeared in the 13th century BC. Both use cunning and deceit to win. Odysseus’s later murder proves that his adventure had “the seed of death” in it. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for our contemporary crisis. Unlike Odysseus, Seok Talhae became king by respecting the pre-existing order. Thus, that myth suggests a possible transformation to a civilization of coexistence and peace.