jocasta
Definition
Proper noun 1. A character in Greek mythology: Jocasta is the queen of Thebes who, through a tragic sequence of events, unknowingly marries her own son, Oedipus, and later bears children with him. She is a central figure in the Theban myths, particularly in Sophocles' tragedy Oedipus Rex.
Usage Examples
- Proper noun:
- In the play, Jocasta tries to reassure Oedipus by telling him that prophecies are unreliable.
- The story of Jocasta is a classic example of tragic irony in Greek literature.
Advanced Usage
- As a symbol: The name Jocasta is sometimes used in literary or psychological analysis to symbolize tragic maternal figures, unintended incest, or the futility of escaping fate.
- The novel's matriarch was a Jocasta-like figure, whose secrets doomed the family.
Variants and Related Words
- Oedipus complex (noun): In Freudian psychoanalysis, a complex of emotions involving desire for the parent of the opposite sex and rivalry with the parent of the same sex. This term is derived from the myth of Oedipus and Jocasta.
- The therapist discussed the concept of the Oedipus complex.
Synonyms
- Queen of Thebes: A descriptive title identifying her role.
- Epicaste: An alternative name for Jocasta used in some versions of the myth, notably in Homer's .
Related Phrases and Idioms
- A Jocasta's fate: Used to describe a situation of profound, tragic irony, especially one involving terrible family secrets coming to light.
- Uncovering the old letters revealed a Jocasta's fate that had haunted the family for generations.
Noun
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(Greek mythology) queen of Thebes who unknowingly married her own son Oedipus
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