Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A tragic king of Thebes in Greek mythology: Oedipus is a legendary figure who, according to the myth, unknowingly killed his father, King Laius, and married his mother, Queen Jocasta. His story is the subject of several ancient Greek tragedies, most famously Sophocles' Oedipus Rex.
   • The subject of a psychological complex: In modern psychology, "Oedipus" is the namesake for the Oedipus complex, a concept in Freudian psychoanalysis describing a child's feelings of desire for the opposite-sex parent and rivalry with the same-sex parent.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The play Oedipus Rex explores themes of fate and self-knowledge.
  • Freud's theory of the Oedipus complex was inspired by the myth of Oedipus.

Advanced Usage

• "Oedipal" (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of the Oedipus complex.
  • The therapist discussed the patient's possible oedipal conflicts.
• "Oedipally" (adverb): In a manner relating to the Oedipus complex.
  • The character is portrayed as being oedipally fixated.

Variants and Related Words

• Oedipal (adj): Pertaining to the Oedipus complex.
• Oedipus complex (n): In psychoanalytic theory, a complex of emotions aroused in a young child by an unconscious sexual desire for the parent of the opposite sex and a wish to exclude the parent of the same sex.

Synonyms

• Theban king (contextual, referring to his role).
• Tragic hero (contextual, referring to his literary archetype).

Related Phrases

• Oedipus Rex: The Latin title (meaning "Oedipus the King") of Sophocles' most famous tragedy about Oedipus.
• Oedipus at Colonus: The title of another tragedy by Sophocles, depicting the end of Oedipus's life.
• Swollen-foot: This is a literal translation of the Greek name "Oedipus" (Oidipous), which alludes to the injury he suffered as an infant when his ankles were pinned together.

Noun

1. (Greek mythology) a tragic king of Thebes who unknowingly killed his father Laius and married his mother Jocasta; the subject of the drama `Oedipus Rex' by Sophocles