Отрывок из книги
Books by Alexander Lowen, M.D.
The Language of the Body (1958) Originally published as Physical Dynamics of Character Structure
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When Oedipus grew to manhood, he, too, consulted the oracle at Delphi to learn his destiny. And he was told that he would kill his father and marry his mother. Since he believed Polybus to be his father, Oedipus decided to avoid the fate predicted by the oracle by leaving Corinth to seek his fortune elsewhere. On the road to Boeotia he was accosted by a traveler who ordered him out of his way. A quarrel ensued, and Oedipus struck the man with his staff, killing him. Not knowing who his victim was, Oedipus proceeded to Thebes. When he arrived, he learned that the city was being terrorized by the Sphinx, a strange monster with the face of a woman, the body of a lion, and the wings of a bird. The Sphinx posed a riddle to any traveler she caught. Those who failed to answer correctly were devoured.
Creon, who was ruling the city since the death of his brother Laius, had promised the crown and the hand of the widowed queen Jocasta to anyone who would free the city from the ravages of the monster. Oedipus undertook the challenge and confronted the Sphinx. To the question “Which animal walks on four legs in the morning, two at midday, and three in the evening?” Oedipus answered, “Man.” In his infancy he crawls on all fours, in his maturity he walks on two legs, and in the evening of his life he walks with a cane. When the Sphinx heard this answer, she threw herself into the sea and was drowned. Oedipus returned to Thebes, married the queen, and ruled the city for more than twenty years. From their union came two sons, Eteocles and Polyneices, and two daughters, Antigone and Ismene. Oedipus’ reign in Thebes was prosperous, and he was honored as a just and devoted sovereign.
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