Oedipus Rex

Tom Lehrer's song "Oedipus Rex" is a humorous and satirical exploration of the infamous Greek myth of Oedipus, who unwittingly kills his father and marries his mother. The song opens by highlighting the universal reverence for motherhood, setting the stage for the ironic twist that follows. Lehrer uses this setup to introduce Oedipus, a character who takes the ideal of loving one's mother to an extreme, thus creating a darkly comedic narrative.

Lehrer cleverly references Sigmund Freud's theory of the Oedipus complex, which posits that young boys harbor unconscious desires for their mothers and view their fathers as rivals. By mentioning Freud's index, Lehrer connects the ancient myth to modern psychology, adding a layer of intellectual humor. The lyrics describe Oedipus's tragic fate in a light-hearted manner, emphasizing the absurdity of his situation. The lines about his daughter being his sister and his son being his brother underscore the convoluted and taboo nature of his family relationships, further enhancing the song's comedic effect.

The song concludes with a cautionary message, advising listeners to show affection to their mothers but to avoid taking it to unhealthy extremes. Lehrer's witty suggestion to buy candy or flowers instead of developing a "complex complex" serves as a humorous reminder of the dangers of obsessive love. The final lines, where Lehrer humorously prefers marrying a duck-billed platypus over ending up like Oedipus, encapsulate the song's blend of dark humor and satire. Through "Oedipus Rex," Lehrer masterfully combines myth, psychology, and comedy to create a memorable and thought-provoking piece.