Defense Mechanisms In Oedipus The King
The mind is a very intricate device. Without even knowing, it alters the way that decisions are made, and how reality is seen. It automatically changes the way someone can handle stress, how to act in the face of adversity, and how somebody will defuse a situation. When we are faced with stress, the body uses a series of defense mechanisms to help cope, and as a result causes the actions a person makes to be driven by the defense mechanisms they use.
In the Greek drama Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, a story about a ruler learning about their past and the implications that come in the present, defence mechanisms are shown throughout the story by various characters. When Oedipus is told by the soothsayer that he is “Both son and spouse...to his own father, and murdered him.” (Sophocles 19). Oedipus denies this by confronting Creon and saying “This same thing, do not tell me-that you are not a villain!” Not willing to admit that he may have actually married his mother and killed his father, Oedipus is trying …show more content…
Medea says “Ah, me! Now is utter destruction come upon me, unhappy that I am! Form my enemies are bearing down on me full sail, nor have I any landing place to come at in my troubles.” (Euripides 8) At a first glance it appears that there is no defence mechanisms here, but upon further inspection, it can be seen that Medea is actually using projection. In the quote she let out all of her problems onto Creon, in an attempt to make him have pity on her. Not only is this an attempt to get Creon to let her still reside in Corinth, but also she is now helping herself deal with losing her husband and home. Rather than projecting anger and frustration, she projects pain, struggle, and sadness onto Creon. By wanting to cope with this new information while the conversation is ongoing, Medea adjusts her actions to project her problems onto Creon to receive pity
In the Greek drama Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, a story about a ruler learning about their past and the implications that come in the present, defence mechanisms are shown throughout the story by various characters. When Oedipus is told by the soothsayer that he is “Both son and spouse...to his own father, and murdered him.” (Sophocles 19). Oedipus denies this by confronting Creon and saying “This same thing, do not tell me-that you are not a villain!” Not willing to admit that he may have actually married his mother and killed his father, Oedipus is trying …show more content…
Medea says “Ah, me! Now is utter destruction come upon me, unhappy that I am! Form my enemies are bearing down on me full sail, nor have I any landing place to come at in my troubles.” (Euripides 8) At a first glance it appears that there is no defence mechanisms here, but upon further inspection, it can be seen that Medea is actually using projection. In the quote she let out all of her problems onto Creon, in an attempt to make him have pity on her. Not only is this an attempt to get Creon to let her still reside in Corinth, but also she is now helping herself deal with losing her husband and home. Rather than projecting anger and frustration, she projects pain, struggle, and sadness onto Creon. By wanting to cope with this new information while the conversation is ongoing, Medea adjusts her actions to project her problems onto Creon to receive pity