The Greeks are known for their literature and being "ahead of their time." Greek mythology brings forward many ideas and theories that questions ones ideals and mind. Just like that Oedipus Rex brought forward some ideas about mankind that lead to a psychologist to form theories that apply universally to all humans. Being a psychologist does not necessarily mean that their theories are going to be correct; for example: Sigmund Freud's the Oedipal complex has its own flaws. .
In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus tries his best to avoid his destiny that the oracle has foreseen for him. As a baby his parents abandoned him in hopes of the prophecy of him killing his father and marrying his mother would not come true. In every way Oedipus tries to avoid fulfilling the prophecy; in contrary, Freud's Oedipal complex tells the complete opposite. Oedipal complex is when a son to be specific develops feelings for his mother and only wants her for himself. The child, usually a son, develops a desire to kill his father and then pursue the sexual feelings in some way. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus never got to the point where he had any type of desires for his mother. Even when marrying Jocasta he was unaware that she was his mother. Also, when killing Laius, his father, he was oblivious to what he had done. Oedipus Rex does not prove or validate the Oedipal complex more than other pieces of works do, for example in Hamlet where the son does exactly what is described in the Oedipal complex. .
What Oedipus Rex goes to prove is how humans always run away to prevent something from happening but some how end up making it happen. Another symbol or element that is seen used throughout the play is the number three and how we see it used over and over again. From the time Jocasta and Laius abandoned Oedipus he was only three days old, not to mention the crossroads that have only three paths, or how Oedipus is a son, brother, and father all in one.