illustrated portrait of English author Oscar Wilde with clouds in the background

Oscar Wilde

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Oscar Wilde Biography

In Oscar Wilde, the “love that dare not speak its name” found a somewhat involuntary spokesman. Wilde’s homosexuality and the indecency trial it spurred in 1895 have gained so much critical and literary attention as to threaten to eclipse Wilde’s notable body of work. At a time when late melodrama and early realism characterized much of English theater, Wilde distinguished himself as an author of unparalleled wit. His most famous work, The Importance of Being Earnest, remains the standard for social satire. In Earnest, as in his play An Ideal Husband, Wilde made upper-class Victorian life hilariously ridiculous. Ironically, its premiere would be his last great success. His romantic relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas drew Wilde into a legal battle with the young man’s father. Wilde was sentenced to two years of hard labor and died a few years after his release.

Facts and Trivia

  • Wilde is often associated with the aesthetic movement called “Art for Art’s Sake,” which posits that art is self-sufficient and does not need to have a moral, social, or political purpose.
  • Along with his sparkling prose, Wilde is also known for his flamboyant fashion sense. He often, for example, wore green carnations in his jacket lapel.
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray, a classic of English literature, was Wilde’s only full-length novel.
  • Among Wilde’s many controversial views were his socialist politics. His views are detailed in his essay “The Soul of Man Under Socialism.”
  • After he was released from prison, Wilde went to Paris, where he died penniless and divorced in 1900.

Biography

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Oscar Wilde, a luminary of literary history, was a man of paradoxes, celebrated for his wit and condemned for his defiance of societal norms. His life was a tapestry of brilliance and tragedy, marked by an unyielding devotion to art and beauty, and marred by public scandal and personal loss. Wilde's story is one of talent, triumph, and ultimate downfall, leaving an indelible mark on both literature and society.

Early Life and Family

Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde entered the world in Dublin, Ireland, on October 16, 1854. He was born into a family of remarkable figures: his father, Sir William Wilde, gained international renown as an eye and ear surgeon, while his mother, Lady Wilde, known by her pen name "Speranza," was a fervent Irish nationalist who crafted essays, poems, and stories. Wilde shared his childhood with an elder brother, Wills, and a younger sister, Isola, whose untimely death at nine left an indelible sorrow in his life.

Education and Intellectual Awakening

At the age of ten, Wilde's education began at Portora Royal School in Ulster, where he first encountered the enduring allure of Greek art and philosophy. His distinctive flair for eccentric fashion also emerged during this time. Wilde's academic journey continued at Trinity College in Dublin, and later at Magdalen College, Oxford University. Here, he delved deep into classical studies and found inspiration in John Ruskin's and Walter Pater's philosophies, which extolled art's intrinsic value and beauty, independent of moral or utilitarian considerations.

The London Years

In 1879, Wilde relocated to London, where his reputation as a witty conversationalist and an advocate of aestheticism, a movement prioritizing beauty, began to take shape. The British magazine Punch often lampooned his flamboyant style and his penchant for floral motifs like sunflowers and lilies. Wilde's literary career took off in 1880 with the publication of his first play, Vera; or the Nihilists, followed by the release of Poems in 1881, which received a range of critical responses. His subsequent lecture tour in America garnered substantial attention, further cementing his public persona.

Marriage and Major Works

On May 29, 1884, Wilde married Constance Lloyd, and the couple had two sons, Cyril and Vyvyan. Wilde's literary prominence soared with the 1890 publication of his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, a work that challenged Victorian sensibilities. His play Lady Windermere's Fan premiered in 1892, achieving popularity among audiences despite mixed critical reviews. However, an attempt to stage Salome was blocked by the Lord Chamberlain due to a ban on depicting Biblical figures on stage. Wilde persevered, crafting celebrated plays such as A Woman of No Importance (1893) and An Ideal Husband (1895). His acclaimed comedy The Importance of Being Earnest debuted in 1895, but Wilde's professional success was soon overshadowed by personal calamity.

Scandal and Downfall

Wilde's private life included homosexual liaisons, a criminal offense in the strict moral climate of Victorian England. In 1891, he met Lord Alfred Douglas, affectionately called Bosie, and the two became romantically involved. Wilde's attachment to Douglas was profound, even as Douglas often exhibited immature behavior. The volatile relationship drew the ire of Douglas's father, the Marquess of Queensbury, who vehemently opposed it and pursued Wilde relentlessly. In 1894, Queensbury left a calling card at Wilde's club inscribed with the accusation, "For Oscar Wilde, posing Somdon-ite," suggesting Wilde's homosexuality. Prompted by Douglas, Wilde sued Queensbury for libel, but Queensbury's evidence of Wilde's intimate associations with young men led Wilde to abandon the case.

Trial and Imprisonment

Despite warnings from friends to flee abroad, Wilde remained in England, leading to his arrest and trial. The initial jury failed to reach a verdict, necessitating a second trial where Wilde was convicted and sentenced to two years of hard labor. The harsh conditions of prison life devastated Wilde's health, a cruel fate for a man of his social standing.

Final Years and Legacy

Released in 1897, Wilde was physically weakened, financially ruined, and estranged from his family, never to see his children again due to the scandal's aftermath. He left England for France, where he lived under the alias Sebastien Melmoth until his death on November 30, 1900. Despite his personal tribulations, Wilde's contributions to literature endure, his works celebrated for their wit, humor, and incisive critique of Victorian society.

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