The Oedipus Complex in Traditional Korean Society: Oedipal and Preoedipal Themes

Yang, Jong Chul; Lee, Moo Suk

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Freud said that the Oedipus complex is universal. Some psychiatrists in Korea have tried to discover the presence of an Oedipus complex in their traditional society. They have identified evidence of sons' wish to kill the Oedipal Father and their desire for incest with mother. Therefore, the author not only puts forth a variety of evidence for the Oedipus complex, but also lays an emphasis on other aspects of the principle(Oedipal theme, preoedipal theme, etc.) by investigating new information in Korean society.
METHODS
The authors looked into myths, shaman's folksongs, legends, butcher's folktales, folk drama, filial piety, and traditional family structures. The authors reestimated them from a calssical psychoanalytic point of view.
RESULTS
The authors found castration anxiety, the desire for incest, identification with parents, and the dissolution of the Oedipus complex as the Oedipal theme. And the authors discovered dyadic realtionship, 'anal phallus', negative Oedipus complex, and the desire of being in fusion with primary object as the preoedipal theme.
CONCLUSIONS
The authors found many themes and factors connected to Oedipus complex influencing our culture and life. Therefore, the authors believe that there is an Oedipus complex in traditional Korean society.