Assignment: Freud and Boeree

Reading of Freud's "The Oedipus Complex" in A World of Ideas and Boeree's explanation of Freudian theory.

Freud

1. According to Freud, why does the story of Oedipus remain meaningful to audiences so long after it was written, as opposed to the many other stories that have been written and lost their popularity over the centuries?

2. What does Freud identify as the significant difference between Oedipus Rex and Hamlet?

3. What is your understanding of Freud's comments on dreams involving the death of a loved one?

Boeree

1. How does Boeree explain the "death instinct" and the "nirvana principle"?

2. What forces produce anxiety?

3. What are defense mechanisms?

4. What is the main criticism of Freud's theory of the Oedipus Complex?

According to Boeree, what positive contributions to psychological theory did Freud make?