The Oedipus complex is a psychological theory proposed by Sigmund Freud that describes a child's feelings of desire for their opposite-sex parent and jealousy toward their same-sex parent. Named after the character Oedipus from Greek mythology, who unknowingly killed his father and married his mother, this concept suggests that these feelings are a normal part of childhood development, typically occurring between the ages of three and six. Freud believed that the Oedipus complex plays a crucial role in shaping a child's identity and relationships later in life. As children navigate these complex emotions, they learn to identify with their same-sex parent, which helps them develop their own gender identity and social roles.