ABSTRACT
The one component of psychoanalytic theory that Freud was most proud of having discovered and formulated was, without a doubt, his theory of the Oedipus complex. This chapter proposes some expansions on the concept, some aspects being in line with recent psychoanalytic literature on sibling relationships and others offering novel contributions. The chapter will not offer a comprehensive presentation and assessment of Mitchell’s or Coles’ sibling projects but instead draws on sound ideas and observations from both (Coles, 2003; Mitchell, 2003) and from the literature that followed up on these contributions work (Coles, 2006; Lewin & Sharp, 2009).
The Oedipus complex consists of two parents and a child. From the son’s point of view, the father possesses the desired object: the mother. Hence, the son identifies with his father and wishes to claim his position. The resulting feelings are jealousy or hate and idealization in recognition of the father’s superior power and status as an ideal or ‘role model’. The son’s hate leads to a passive fear of punishment and retribution, and his idealization leads to a desire for the father’s approval (Freud, 1923/1961; Andkjær Olsen, 1988). The same is true of the daughter, with the necessary modifications and specifications.
