The Oedipal Complex

• The Oedipal Complex, as proposed by Freud, involves a child's unconscious desire for the parent of the opposite sex and a sense of rivalry or jealousy towards the parent of the same sex
• Faustus's rebellion against authority figures, particularly God and the Church, can be interpreted as a manifestation of the Oedipal complex, rather than accepting the Father Figure (God) Faustus seeks to challenge and surpass it
• Faustus's pursuit of forbidden knowledge and power can be seen as a symbolic expression of the Oedipal desire to surpass or replace the father figure, exhibiting a sense of defiance & rebellion against authority figures