Reading "The Interpretation of Dreams" where Freud tries "to solve the problems of dreams" as if there is one? Oedipus is a detail here... and, for example, the word complex is not yet there.
On page 155 Freud does some "good" psychology: "parents play a leading part in the infantile psychology of all later neurotics". But just a few lines later he throws his bomb: "falling in love with one member of the parental couple and hatred of the other".
It is with a simple prelude that he delivers one of the greatest moments in the history of theory: "Antiquity has furnished us with legendary material to confirm this fact".
Not many lines would influence so widely the following century. In November 1899 Freud writes: "I refer to the legend of King Oedipus and the drama of the same name by Sophocles. Oedipus, son of Laius, king of Thebes, and of Jocasta."
He then goes on explaining the drama: as predicted by the oracle, before he was born, without being aware of who they are, Oedipus kills his father and marries her mother that bears him 4 children.
Two great details are usually associated with the drama:
* before entering the gates of Thebes, Oedipus has to solve the riddle of the Sphynx who is barring his way
* Oedipus, profoundly shocked at the monstrosities which he has unknowingly committed, blinds himself and leaves Thebes
Solving and blinding could be the most important words here. Oedipus does not commit suicide! He blinds himself and lives with guilt. Oedipus is you: although you may solve the riddle, you are blind and you feel guilty.
No comments:
Post a Comment