The Oedipus Complex

[Jamie123]

My 15-year-old daughter made an interesting observation the other day: Isn't it ironic that Sigmund Freud - when looking for a name for this condition (wanting to have sex with your own mother) - named it after a man who slept with his mother by accident, and when he learned what he'd done, was so disgusted that he blinded himself? He'd have done better to have called it the "Totally-The-Opposite-Of-Oedipus" complex.

P.S. This is not the only place where classical metaphors are misused: a few years ago, people were using the term "Cassandra" to describe someone who falsely inflates the seriousness of a particular problem, causing attention to be misdirected away from other more important concerns. That is totally the opposite of what Cassandra (daughter of Priam of Troy) did - her warnings WERE real, but she was cursed such that they were NEVER ACTED UPON.

Edited July 9, 2020 by Jamie123

[Midwest LDS]

34 minutes ago, Jamie123 said:

My 15-year-old daughter made an interesting observation the other day: Isn't it ironic that Sigmund Freud - when looking for a name for this condition (wanting to have sex with your own mother) - named it after a man who slept with his mother by accident, and when he learned what he'd done, was so disgusted that he blinded himself? He'd have done better to have called it the "Totally-The-Opposite-Of-Oedipus" complex.

P.S. This is not the only place where classical metaphors are misused: a few years ago, people were using the term "Cassandra" to describe someone who falsely inflates the seriousness of a particular problem, causing attention to be misdirected away from other more important concerns. That is totally the opposite of what Cassandra (daughter of Priam of Troy) did - her warnings WERE real, but she was cursed such that they were NEVER ACTED UPON.

Yeah I always thought it was weird to use Oedipus's name for that complex. Not only for the reasons your daughter mentioned, but because when he heard the prophesy he was terrified and left home right away to avoid hurting his mom and dad, the couple who had adopted and raised him. He had no way of knowing who his real parents were. But like you said people frequently misuse classical metaphors.

Edited July 9, 2020 by Midwest LDS

[Carborendum]

44 minutes ago, Jamie123 said:

P.S. This is not the only place where classical metaphors are misused:

More apropos of today's social issues:

"Uncle Tom" should really be: "Stephen" (Django Unchained... The "D" is silent  )

[Traveler]

@Jamie123  You do know that the most complete definition of a Freudian slip is - when you say one thing but you mean your mother. 

 

The Traveler

[Guest MormonGator]

His horrific punishment doesn't fit his crime. He lost his temper and killed a man in a fit of anger-which is terrible-but he also saved everyone by solving the riddle of the sphinx. He didn't deserve to go through what he did.  Truly a "tragic figure". 

[Jamie123]

1 hour ago, MormonGator said:

His horrific punishment doesn't fit his crime. He lost his temper and killed a man in a fit of anger-which is terrible-but he also saved everyone by solving the riddle of the sphinx. He didn't deserve to go through what he did.  Truly a "tragic figure". 

It depends which version you go with. It's a while since I read Sophocles, but I seem to remember he makes Laius the aggressor: Laius tries to stab his son as his chariot passes, whereupon Oedipus retaliates. Later he justifies his parricide by saying "I killed a man who sought my death."

In other versions Oedipus is a sadist for sure: he waylays his father and "just to be a jerk" has his own horses drag him to death. (Rather like the dog in National Lampoon's Vacation.) Nasty nasty.

[Guest MormonGator]

Just now, Jamie123 said:

It depends which version you go with. It's a while since I read Sophocles, but I seem to remember he makes Laius the aggressor: Laius tries to stab his son as his chariot passes, whereupon Oedipus retaliates. Later he justifies his parricide by saying "I killed a man who sought my death."

In other versions Oedipus is a sadist for sure: he waylays his father and "just to be a jerk" has his own horses drag him to death. (Rather like the dog in National Lampoon's Vacation.) Nasty nasty.

Yup, agree. The crowning moment in my acting life was I played Oedipus in college. Very cool! 

[Vort]

20 minutes ago, MormonGator said:

Yup, agree. The crowning moment in my acting life was I played Oedipus in college. Very cool! 

Was your mother cheering you on?

[Guest MormonGator]

20 minutes ago, Vort said:

Was your mother cheering you on?

Interesting side note-My parents were involved, but they did not go to all of my little league games, karate classes, and chess matches while growing up. Very different than today, where parents are expected to go to everything their child does. 

[Vort]

6 minutes ago, MormonGator said:

Interesting side note-My parents were involved, but they did not go to all of my little league games, karate classes, and chess matches while growing up. Very different than today, where parents are expected to go to everything their child does. 

Just as well. You avoided the nightmare scenario: "THAT'S MY BOY PLAYING OEDIPUS!" Mom shrieked, while the people around her slowly backed away.

[Guest MormonGator]

1 minute ago, Vort said:

Just as well. You avoided the nightmare scenario: "THAT'S MY BOY PLAYING OEDIPUS!" Mom shrieked, while the people around her slowly backed away.

The girl playing Jocasta actually looked several years younger than I did.