The Oedipus Complex

The Oedipus Complex Named after the mythical figure Oedipus Rex, who unwittingly murdered his father and married his mother.

The Oedipus Complex When the truth was revealed, Oedipus blinded himself in horror.

The Oedipus Complex Anxious desire for the mother—the boy wants to command her complete attention. Recognition of the father as a rival. Hostility and aggression directed towards the father. In his book Totem and Taboo, Freud explained the origins of the Oedipal complex.

The Origins of the Oedipus Complex Totemism is a type of social organization in pre-literate societies. A totem is a symbol of a clan or tribe. It’s usually an animal which it is forbidden to kill or eat.

The Origins of the Oedipus Complex Totemism provides a structure for exogamy—marriage outside the group, usually by custom or law.

The Origins of the Oedipus Complex In The Origin of Species, Darwin theorized that early humans lived in small tribal groups, dominated by an alpha male. Competition for the females would occasionally lead the other males to kill and eat the ‘father’ figure and another being installed in his place. “The King is Dead—Long Live the King!”

The Origins of the Oedipus Complex Soon taboos—ritual prohibitions, without the need for law—arose against sexual relations within the totem group. Repressed guilt over this ‘original sin’ represents the beginning of art and culture.

The Origins of the Oedipus Complex Classical mythology, for example, draws frequently on thinly-veiled Oedipal imagery. Saturn devouring his children.

The Origins of the Oedipus Complex Classical mythology, for example, draws frequently on thinly-veiled Oedipal imagery. As does Christian mythology. Adam and Eve are banished from Eden for an oral sin, directed against ‘God-the-father’

The Origins of the Oedipus Complex Freud saw a connection between desire and taboo. Only that which we deeply want to do needs the prohibitive power of a taboo. In other words, people fear their wishes and desires and paradoxically desire what they fear.

How is the Oedipus Complex Resolved? To RID himself of the Oedipus Complex, a boy must: Repress his desire for his mother. Identify with his father—seek to be like him. Displace his feelings for his mother onto a socially appropriate member of the opposite sex.

The Origins of the Oedipus Complex Freud saw a connection between desire and taboo. Only that which we deeply want to do needs the prohibitive power of a taboo. In other words, people fear their wishes and desires.