Aspects of the Anima and the Animus in the Oedipal Development

The purpose of this article is to introduce the archetype of sexual opposites (anima/animus) in the dynamic of the Oedipus complex. Some typical manifestations of the animus and anima are described, and the author shows how they take root in the vicissitudes of Oedipal development. Successful resolution of the Oedipus complex depends upon freeing the animalanimus from the Oedipal bonds.