Oedipus' Complexity

Jungian Analysis of Oedipus


Oedipus raised by king of Corinth (self -- guides Oedipus from likely death at abandonment to adulthood)

Oedipus meets the drunk (shadow -- drunk is of low station but has knowledge, while Oedipus is royal but ignorant)

Oedipus goes to the Oracle (shadow -- the Oracle has knowledge and wisdom, while Oedipus is ignorant and has the hubris to resist the fate that Olympus has assigned him)

Oedipus meets his father Laius on the road  (self --  Laius and Oedipus are the same: strong, proud kings who reign over prosperity until done in by their own pride and ignorance. Laius and Oedipus are both ignorant of the full realities of this situation, both have had the hubris to resist the word of the Gods, and in fighting Oedipus, Laius tests the strength that Oedipus will need to rule Thebes.)

Oedipus meets the Sphinx (positive anima -- the Sphinx, like Laius, shows Oedipus his true strength and puts him on the path to assuming his rightful throne)

Oedipus marries Jocasta (destructive anima -- Jocasta's resistance to the original prophecy put Oedipus on his path to eventual ruin, and now...I mean, dude, she married her son.  Destructive anima.)

Oedipus meets Teirsias (self -- Teirsias puts together all the pieces of Oedipus' life and reconciles them with the prophecy that Oedipus has always feared and denied.  In one way, each has been blind.  Once Oedipus knows the truth, he blinds himself, and he and Teirsias are now the same.)