Introduction
Literature has always reflected human nature, and the famous play Oedipus the King is no exception. The play has been a subject of extensive research and analysis, and one of the most prominent and controversial interpretations of the play is by the Austrian psychologist Sigmund Freud. After reading famous stories, novels, and plays, Freud developed many theories of human behavior and development. His interpretation of Oedipus the King led to the creation of the Oedipus complex theory. This research paper aims to explore Freud’s life, explain the Oedipus complex theory, and discuss the feelings about Oedipus at the end of the play.
Sigmund Freud
Freud was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is a clinical approach to understanding and treating mental and emotional disorders that focuses on exploring a patient’s unconscious mind and unresolved conflicts from childhood experiences (Grzybowski & Joanna 1). He was born on May 6, 1856, in Freiberg, Moravia, now the Czech Republic (Grzybowski & Joanna 1). His father was a wool trader, and his mother, Amalia, was his father’s third wife.
Freud studied medicine at the University of Vienna and specialized in neurology, studying under prominent physicians such as Jean-Martin Charcot and Josef Breuer (Grzybowski & Joanna 1). In 1895, Freud released his seminal work “Studies on Hysteria,” which marked the start of his development of psychoanalysis (Grzybowski & Joanna 2). In the book, he presents their innovative theories on the nature of hysteria, a condition that was prevalent at the time, particularly among women.
Freud’s theories on the human mind and behavior were controversial and groundbreaking for their time. He believed that unconscious conflicts and repressed memories were the root cause of mental illness and that therapy should focus on bringing these conflicts to the surface through free association and dream analysis. Furthermore, he was also an avid collector of art and antiquities. He collected over 2,000 items, now housed in the Sigmund Freud Museum in Vienna (Karasu 4).
In addition to his professional work, Freud had a complex personal life. He was married to Martha Bernays, and they had six children together. He struggled with health issues throughout his life, including jaw cancer, which required multiple surgeries and eventually led to his death on September 23, 1939, in London, England, where he fled to escape Nazi persecution.
Oedipus Complex
Sigmund Freud’s The Destiny of Oedipus offers a psychoanalytic interpretation of the Greek tragedy Oedipus the King. According to Freud, the play’s power depicts the Oedipus complex, a universal psychological phenomenon underlies the disaster. The Oedipus complex refers to the unconscious desire that young children have for their opposite-sex parent and the rivalry and hostility they feel towards their same-sex parent (Digamon et al. 450).
Freud argues that the Oedipus complex is a fundamental part of human development and is present in all cultures, although it may be expressed differently depending on cultural norms. He contends that the Oedipus complex is a crucial stage of psychosexual development that all children must pass through to achieve healthy psychological development. The Oedipus complex occurs during the phallic stage of psychosexual development, between the ages of three and six (Digamon et al. 450). During this stage, the child’s primary focus of pleasure is on their genitalia, and they become aware of their gender and that of others.
According to Freud, the Oedipus complex encompasses a child’s subconscious yearning for their parent of the opposite gender, along with corresponding sentiments of animosity and competition towards their parent of the same gender. The child sees their same-sex parent as a rival for the affection of the opposite-sex parent and may develop feelings of jealousy and anger towards them (Digamon et al. 450). To resolve the Oedipus complex, the child must identify with their same-sex parent and internalize their values and behaviors, effectively resolving the rivalry and hostility they feel.
My Views on the Oedipus Complex
While Freud’s theory of the Oedipus complex has been subject to much criticism and debate, it has profoundly influenced the field of psychoanalysis. Many critics, like Karen Horney, argue that the theory is overly simplistic and does not consider the complexity of human relationships (Allen 51). Others, such as Nancy Chodorow, argue that the theory is based on Freud’s personal experiences and biases rather than objective evidence (Allen 55).
Moreover, Erik Erikson has questioned the universality of the Oedipus complex, arguing that it is not present in all cultures or may manifest differently depending on cultural norms (Allen 55). Others have criticized Freud’s focus on the role of sexual desire in psychological development, arguing that it ignores other important aspects of human experience. I disagree with Freud’s theory of the Oedipus complex. I believe that human relationships are far more complex than can be explained by a single theory and that each individual’s experience is unique.
Oedipus at The End of the Play
At the end of the play, my feelings about Oedipus are a mixture of sympathy, admiration, regret, and horror. Throughout the play, Oedipus commands respect and admiration due to his intelligence and strong leadership. Moreover, he is portrayed as a noble and virtuous king who is genuinely concerned about the well-being of his people. However, his tragic fate unfolds as the play progresses, and the character’s flaws surface.
One of the most powerful scenes in the play is when Oedipus finally realizes that he is the murderer he has been seeking all along. He exclaims, “Oh God! It was true! All the prophecies! Now, O light, may I look on you for the last time!” (Sophocles 85). This statement marks a pivotal moment in the play, as the revelation of the truth shatters Oedipus’s excessive pride and arrogance. It reflects Oedipus’s sense of disbelief and horror at this moment. He has spent his life trying to avoid his fate, and now he realizes it has been inevitable all along.
The final part of the quote, “Now, O light, may I look on you for the last time!” reveals Oedipus’s deep despair and hopelessness (Sophocles 85). Oedipus feels excessively burdened by the reality of his life to the point where he would rather die than confront the outcomes. He is willing to accept the punishment for his actions, even if it means losing everything he has ever known.
Despite Oedipus’s downfall, there is still a sense of admiration for his strength and resilience. He faces his fate head-on and does not shy away from the consequences of his actions. In the final scene, Oedipus blinds himself, saying, “No more, no more shall you look on the misery about me, the horrors of my own doing!” (Sophocles 63). This quote is compelling since it demonstrates Oedipus’s sense of guilt and responsibility for his actions. Even though he does not know the truth about his past, he is willing to accept the punishment for his unwitting crimes.
However, at the same time, there is a sense of horror as we witness Oedipus’s descent into madness. His blindness symbolizes his mental state, which has deteriorated beyond repair. His suffering is unimaginable, and it is difficult not to feel sorry for him. His statement, “What’s there to see? The world of my Theban people is enough for me – nothing else” (Sophocles, 63), indicates Oedipus’s acceptance of his fate. Still, it is also a reflection of his tragic condition. He has lost everything he held dear, including his sight and his family, and is now forced to live with the knowledge of his unspeakable actions.
Regardless of my sympathy for Oedipus, I cannot overlook that he is also somewhat responsible for his own fate. He is quick to anger and refuses to listen to those who try to warn him, leading him to discover the truth about his past. Throughout the play, he exhibits a quick temper and a stubborn refusal to listen to reason. For example, when Teiresias, the blind prophet, warns him about the danger of pursuing the truth about his past, Oedipus reacts angrily and accuses him of being a conspirator. He says, “You’ve lost your power, stone-blind, stone-deaf – senses, eyes blind as stone!” (Sophocles 35). This outburst reveals Oedipus’s lack of patience and tendency to lash out when threatened.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the play Oedipus the King has been subject to extensive research and analysis. Austrian neurologist and psychologist Sigmund Freud offered a notable and often debated interpretation. Freud’s Oedipus complex theory argues that young children have an unconscious desire for their opposite-sex parent and feelings of hostility towards their same-sex parent. While Freud’s theory has been criticized, it continues to be studied and debated today. At the end of the play, Oedipus elicits mixed emotions of sympathy, admiration, regret, and horror. Despite his flaws and tragic fate, he remains an influential figure and a reflection of the complexity of human nature.
Works Cited
Allen, Chris. “The Balance of Personality.” Open Textbook Library.
Digamon, Jayson S., et al. “The Role of the Oedipus Complex on the Perceived Romantic Security of Males.” International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications (IJSRP), vol. 9, no. 4, 2019.
Grzybowski, Andrzej, and Joanna Żołnierz. “Sigmund Freud (1856–1939).” Journal of Neurology, vol. 268, no. 6, 2020, pp. 1–2.
Karasu, Sylvia R. “Collecting: A Demonic Passion.”
Sophocles, E. A. Oedipus the King. Classic Productions, 1994. 8460.pdf (fulltextarchive.com)