Oedipal Complex Study in Psychoanalysis

The Oedipal complex is one of Sigmund Freud's key and controversial concepts, first mentioned in 1897 and detailed in his work "The Interpretation of Dreams" (1899). The term was finally introduced in 1910 when Freud described the four stages of psychosexual development. At the phallic stage, children experience unconscious feelings towards the parent of the opposite sex and rivalry with the parent of the same sex. Successful completion of this stage contributes to the development of mature sexual identity, while failure can lead to neuroses and psychoses. The concept is based on the ancient Greek myth of Oedipus, symbolizing the unconscious drive to fulfill a prophecy. Freud believed that boys form an attachment to their mother, causing competition with the father. This generates conflicting emotions: love and resentment towards the father. Critics like Van der Sterren argue that the Oedipal complex is biased and exaggerated. Psychoanalysts M. G. Eisler and S. Rangell consider the theory limited because it does not account for other influences on a child's behavior. Despite the criticism, the concept of the Oedipal complex remains relevant and influences the understanding of child development and behavior, as well as literature, movies and art in general. This research focuses on analyzing the Oedipal complex in a modern context using examples from cinema and literature. The main goal is to study the impact of resolving the complex on life satisfaction. The objectives include theoretical analysis of the concept, identifying its manifestations in men and women, and analyzing the consequences for the psyche. Research methods include theoretical analysis of literature and practical observations. The work consists of an introduction, two chapters, a conclusion, and a bibliography.