Introduction
Claude Lévi-Strauss, a French anthropologist and ethnologist, is known for applying structuralist methods to the study of myths and folklore. One of his most well-known analyses is of the ancient Greek myth of Oedipus. Rather than focusing on psychological or historical explanations, Lévi-Strauss approached myths as structures of thought—systems with patterns, oppositions, and relationships. This method of interpreting myth as language revolutionized the way scholars understand folklore.
Who Was Oedipus?
- Oedipus is a character from Greek mythology who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother.
- His story is most famously told in Sophocles’ tragedy Oedipus Rex.
- While Sigmund Freud interpreted this myth to form the concept of the “Oedipus Complex,” Lévi-Strauss had a very different interpretation.
Lévi-Strauss’s Structuralist Approach
Lévi-Strauss believed that myths are structured like language and must be understood through their internal relationships and oppositions. He focused not on individual characters or historical contexts, but on the structure of the story as a whole.
Key Points of His Interpretation:
- Binary Oppositions: Myths reflect oppositions in human thought such as life/death, male/female, nature/culture.
- Structure over Story: The meaning of a myth lies not in the events themselves but in the way they are organized.
- Cross-cultural Meaning: Similar structural patterns appear in myths across cultures, suggesting a universal human way of thinking.
The Myth of Oedipus: Lévi-Strauss’s Analysis
Lévi-Strauss broke down the Oedipus myth into a series of events or “mythemes”—basic units of myth. He then grouped these into four columns based on themes or oppositions:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadmos seeks his sister Europa | Oedipus kills his father | Oedipus marries his mother | Oedipus solves the riddle of the Sphinx |
| Founding of Thebes | Labdacus, Laius, and Oedipus all suffer from limping/deformity | Birth from mother and marriage to mother | Victory over a monster (Sphinx) |
Interpretation:
- Problem of kinship: The myth deals with complex family relationships—especially the breaking of social taboos (incest and patricide).
- Opposition of nature and culture: Oedipus’s actions violate cultural norms, but he also brings civilization by solving the Sphinx’s riddle.
- Lameness vs Intelligence: Oedipus and his family often suffer physical defects (symbolizing a break in nature), but also show mental genius (solving riddles).
Conclusion: What Lévi-Strauss Achieved
- He showed that myths reflect deep human concerns and oppositions.
- Instead of focusing on the moral or psychological aspects, he emphasized how myths are structured logically.
- This helped scholars analyze not just Greek myths but also Indian, African, and Native American folklore using the same method.
Why This Is Important in Folklore Studies
- It allows researchers to compare myths across cultures.
- Highlights the universality of human thought through structure.
- Opens new avenues for analyzing oral traditions, songs, and legends using the lens of binary oppositions and structure.
Final Thoughts
Lévi-Strauss’s interpretation of the Oedipus myth represents a turning point in folklore and anthropology. His structuralist approach treats myths as intellectual tools that humans use to make sense of the world. By analyzing the Oedipus myth through patterns and oppositions, he provided a model that is still used today in folklore studies worldwide.