Oscar Wilde, the renowned Victorian playwright, poet, and author, unfortunately passed away in 1900 from meningitis. His physician, Dr. Kyle, attributed the cause of death to cerebral meningitis. Wilde was born in Dublin to parents who were socially aware of the arts and had the intellectual prowess to help form his undeniable gift for writing. Wilde attended the most prestigious schools for literature, which helped shape many of his creative works. He had a genius for satire and often used his wit and intellect to poke fun at what he perceived as the moral absurdity of society.
Educated at prestigious universities such as Trinity College, Wilde was well-acquainted with the mid-Victorian lifestyle, and his wit and charm was mostly matched by his self-confidence and flamboyant lifestyle. Despite being born into well-to-do social circles, his life was not without tragedy or misfortune. Wilde had a tumultuous marriage to his wife, Constance Lloyd, which ended in divorce in 1895. Following the divorce, Wilde’s financial and psychological decline worsened, leading to his eventual downfall.
Wilde was arrested and sentenced to two years of hard labor in 1895 on charges of sodomy, was released after serving only one year. At the time, sodomy was a crime in England, and speaking out against it resulted in Wilde’s trial. Despite his release in 1897, he never truly recovered, both socially and financially. After his release, he was disgraced and abandoned by his former circle of friends, and was forced to move to France with his lover, Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas, in an attempt to escape public humiliation in England. Even in France Wilde was not safe, as he was tracked by a mob in revenge for his affair with Douglas.
The combination of his health problems, the financial stress, lack of sleep and the lack of a healthy lifestyle all took a toll on Wilde’s wellbeing, which only worsened after moving abroad. During the last years of his life, his health had deteriorated rapidly, culminating in him being admitted to a hospital in Paris in 1899. He was diagnosed with meningitis, a form of encephalitis caused by a bacterial infection, and died from the disease in 1900. It was not until his posthumous publication of The Ballad of Reading Gaol in 1898, that Wilde was recognized and appreciated during his lifetime as one of the giants of English literature.
Wilde’s Reputation After His Death
Wilde’s notoriety and recognition increased after his death, and in the years following his passing, his name became associated not only with wit and humor, but also with a certain poignancy and insight into the human condition. Wilde’s works showed a deep understanding of the hypocrisies and inequalities of Victorian society, and his writing often had a prescient insight regarding topics such as sexuality and religion that were largely frowned upon and left undiscussed in Victorian England. From lectures to plays and books, Wilde’s canon is impressive and has managed to stand the test of time, alone testifying to its brilliance.
Wilde’s writing often exhibited a melancholic element, which only increased over the course of his life’s events. Fate certainly did not serve Wilde kindly, and unjustly robbed him of his ability to create and enjoy his own works. Yet, Wilde’s observations and critique of Victorian society, both explicit and implicit, remain a brilliant insight into a complex period of human history.
His personal life, full of tragedy and heartbreak, served as a contrast to, and at times a commentary on, the existing Victorian society. Though he was ahead of his time, Wilde was not immune to the dangers and stigmas of his era and his refusal to succumb to then-dominant heteronormative ideologies resulted in his persecution and eventual social ruin.
Still, although Wilde did not live to witness his eventual acclaim as one of the most renowned figures of the Victorian age, his genius and wit remain, even today, as a lasting legacy that continues to influence and inspire.
Wilde’s Legacy
Wilde’s legacy can still be found in the works of modern authors and academics alike who continue to draw inspiration from his life and works. Wilde’s style, his content, and his wit remain relevant to this day and continue to appear in many areas of the arts, from theatre and literature to painting and music. His works continue to provoke thoughts and conversations about topics such as justice and morality, as do his personal struggles.
Wilde’s death was, despite the unjust circumstances leading to it, the culmination of a life well lived. He was a passionate and generous individual who found solace in his art, and sought to make the world better by opening discussions around previously taboo topics. Though he suffered during his lifetime, he managed to leave a lasting impression on the world with his work, his life, and his accomplishments.
The works of Oscar Wilde will remain immortalized, appreciated, and studied by generations to come. His life and career certainly took him through unexpected twists and turns, and his posthumous publications and accolades will serve as a fitting tribute to the man who, despite living at a time of oppression and intolerance, managed to stand up for individual freedom and creativity.
Philosophy Behind Wilde’s Writing
In addition to the inspiration derived from his life and works, Wilde was remarkably guided by his own personal philosophy. His works of art, often fueled with irony and wit, were underpinned by the deeply held belief that ‘beauty is truth and truth beauty’ which formed the basis of his social philosophy. This idea, along with his adherence to individualism and connection to nature, played a major role in his creative works.
Wilde argued that beauty should be appreciated without order or creativity being compromised. His concept of beauty focused primarily on the inner beauty of individuals and their behavior, which could elevate a mundane or ordinary activity just as much as it could art. Wilde’s belief in beauty was closely tied to the concept of truth since he believed the only way one could really appreciate beauty was by embracing the truth. Wilde’s concept of truth was unique and stressed individuality, emphasizing the importance of creative expression within society.
This idea of beauty, both in nature and in art, was a fundamental motivator of Wilde’s writing. His works often exuded a serene, simplistic beauty which underscored the realities of life in a way that few authors before him had been able to capture. This simplicity and beauty is something that has resonated with audiences and readers throughout the years, and has enabled Wilde’s works to remain relevant up until this day.
Wilde’s Impact on Modern Literature
Wilde’s works and his overall outlook on life have had a lasting impact on modern literature. His works often touched on ideas of morality, justice, and personal character in a subtle yet influential manner that has been echoed in contemporary art. Some of his plays and books, such as The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest, have been continuously staged and reinterpreted, often with great success.
The Picture of Dorian Gray, for instance, features the titular character Dorian, who is described as a man without conscience. Through his journey, Dorian discovers the power of beauty, the importance of morality and the perverse consequences of vanity. The story serves to illustrate Wilde’s own belief in beauty and truth, as well as the consequences of ignoring both in favor of selfishness and pleasure-seeking. The themes contained within the work remain just as salient today as they did when it was first written.
Wilde’s impact also extended to his contemporaries, inspiring authors such as Virginia Woolf and George Bernard Shaw, who adopted many of his ideas of satire, irony and wit in their works. In this way, his influence can be seen in much of contemporary literature, art, and film.
Contemporary Appreciation of Wilde’s Work
Wilde’s works still continue to resonate with readers and viewers today, long after his death in 1900. His works still spark conversations around topics such as individual freedom, the clash of cultures and ideologies, the power of beauty, and the relevance of morality and justice. His works are still frequently quoted, studied and performed today, showing the still-current impact of his works and legacy.
The notoriety of Wilde’s name has transcended the decades and much of his success can be attributed to his unique blend of wit, irony, and knowledge. He was both ahead of his time and absolutely on-trend with the Victorian society, which allowed him to be appreciated by modern-day readers who have already had the societal and cultural changes he so avidly sought after.
Wilde’s collection of works serve as a celebration of life and art, and remain a distinct body of literature which offers both entertainment and insight into one of the most brilliant minds of the Victorian era. His legacy continues to inspire and influence, whether in terms of style, content, or societal commentary.
