Charchay Oedipus

• Author: Pradip Basu (প্রদীপ বসু)
• Genre: Drama and Drama Studies (Natak O Natak Samparkita)
• ISBN: 9789354250118
• Cover : Hardcover
• Pages: 156
• Weight: 270 grams

Book Description

The myth of King Oedipus and Sophocles' classic play Oedipus Rex repeatedly emerges in the reflections of theorists across eras, especially when addressing the crises of civilization. Among the most prominent thinkers in this context are Sigmund Freud and Michel Foucault.

Freud’s theory profoundly influenced how the Oedipus myth was interpreted for a long time, framing it as a tale of forbidden desires and their repression within the unconscious—a reflection of the intrinsic crises of human civilization. Michel Foucault, however, dismantled this framework. He proposed that the Oedipus complex of civilization is not about the tension between desire and the unconscious but rather the suffocating interplay of knowledge and political power. This interpretation aligns with the alternative title of Sophocles’ play: Oedipus Tyrannos.

Through a meticulous analysis of the ancient Greek play and its symbolic narrative, Foucault reveals that the tragedy of Oedipus stems not from repressed desires but from the excesses of knowledge-derived power. This book critically reviews the journey of the Oedipus complex theory, from Freud to Foucault, examining its implications for the crises of civilization.

Highlights

• Explores contrasting theories on the Oedipus myth by Freud and Foucault.
• Analyzes the evolution of the Oedipus complex theory in the context of civilization's crises.
• Engages with Greek literature to shed light on modern sociopolitical structures.
• A scholarly work that intertwines sociology, philosophy, and political theory.

Author's Bio

Pradip Basu (প্রদীপ বসু, b. 1946) was a professor of sociology at the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Kolkata. His research spans sociology, philosophy, political theory, and musicology, with works in both English and Bengali. Notable books by him include Bangla Bhashay Samajvidyacharcha, Paschime Dhrupladi Sangeetnirman, and Michel Foucault: Shesh Parjay-er Tattvabhavna.