Oscar Wilde has been the subject of much debate and discourse surrounding his sexuality, including that of his bisexuality. His body of work and writings have been closely studied to determine if he was indeed bisexual or simply afraid to come out and openly admit his sexuality. In this blog post, I will explore the evidence that suggests Oscar Wilde was indeed bisexual.
The first and most obvious source of evidence is Wilde’s personal life. At the time of his death, Wilde had three children with his long-term partner, Constance Lloyd. This is a clear indication of Wilde’s bisexuality, as heterosexual relationships require sexual intercourse between two people of different genders, which Wilde did not have.
Secondly, recent research on Wilde’s literary works suggests that Wilde had a genderless view of love and desire. Many of his works, such as “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and “De Profundis”, allude to the notion of non-binary, non-heterosexual love and desire. This is further evidenced by his often-quoted aphorism, “Everything in the world is about sex, except sex. Sex is about power.” These statements imply Wilde’s willingness to question existing sexual and gender norms, which he himself experienced.
Thirdly, Wilde was an advocate for pansexuality and homosexual rights. He was an outspoken critic of the legal status quo at the time, which criminalized homosexuality. He was also known to speak with contempt about the “prudish” attitude of his day towards same-sex relationships, which again, implies his acceptance of bisexuality, pansexuality and other non-heteronormative relationships.
Fourthly, Wilde’s friendships, both with men and women, allude to his bisexuality. His closest friends included artists and writers who were openly bisexual, such as the American-born playwright George le Jeune and the French poet Paul Verlaine, who was widely known to have had same-sex relationships and a daughter. Wilde undoubtedly enjoyed close relationships with both men and women, which is a strong indication of his bisexuality.
Wilde’s openness towards bisexuality and other non-heteronormative relationships is further evidenced by his correspondence. His letters often allude to non-heteronormative desires, and he was known for defending the freedom of sexual preference and experimentation. From these pieces of evidence, it is reasonable to assume that Wilde identified as bisexual.
Evidence from His Life Story
Additionally, Wilde’s life story provides strong clues about his identity as a bisexual person. He was famously convicted of “sodomy and gross indecency” in 1895, and was sentenced to two years’ hard labor. His trial garnered much public interest and was a defining moment in queer history, as it was the first time in British legal history that a man had been tried and convicted of having an intimate relationship with another man. This trial further illustrates Wilde’s publicly acknowledged bisexuality and confirms that he was willing to speak out against the legal discrimination of same-sex relationships at the time.
In short, the evidence in favor of Wilde’s bisexuality is compelling. From his personal relationships, writings, and public advocacy, it is clear that Wilde was comfortable with and accepted his bisexuality. He was a pioneer for LGBT rights, and his legacy lives on as an example of how to boldly proclaim and celebrate your sexuality without fear.
Oscar Wilde’s Poetry
Oscar Wilde’s poetry can be seen as a further indication of his bisexuality. While Wilde may have been reticent to open up to his family and friends about his sexuality, his poetry is a strong indication of his thoughts and feelings. In poems like “A Testament of Love”, he speaks openly of love that is not bound by gender, indicating a certain acceptance and openness to bisexuality and homosexuality.
Wilde’s poetry also serves as an important reminder of the importance of self-love and acceptance. In poems like “The Ballad of Reading Gaol” and “Requiescat”, he speaks of love and acceptance despite the harsh judgement of society. This is an incredibly important message, especially considering the rampant discrimination and violence directed towards the LGBT community around the world. This resonates especially strongly with the LGBT community today.
Finally, Wilde’s poetry serves to normalize and celebrate bisexuality and alternate sexuality. In poems like “The Portrait of Mr. W. H.” and “The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name”, he gives an intimate, human portrait of alternate relationships. His poems serve to show the beauty, intimacy and respect of these kinds of relationships and give an important voice to those often silenced by society.
His Relationships
The relationships that Oscar Wilde formed, both with men and women, can also be seen as an indication of his bisexuality. He enjoyed close friendships and platonic relationships with numerous female correspondents, such as Elizabeth Robins, Florence Balcombe and Arthur Clifton, among others. He was also known to flirt with men and women, which suggested a certain measure of bisexual desire.
Wilde enjoyed a particularly close relationship with Alfred Douglas, a student at Oxford and the son of the Marquess of Queensberry. The two men were rumored to be in a romantic and sexual relationship, which Wilde felt comfortable enough to share with his friends. Although some of these relationships were platonic, their closeness hints at Wilde’s bisexuality.
Further evidence of his bisexuality can be seen in Wilde’s relationships with women. While it is unlikely that Wilde saw himself falling in love with a woman, there is evidence that he was interested in exploring the potential of intimate relationships with them. His romantic relationships with Augusta John and Lillie Langtry, both of whom he saw as artistic muses, explore the idea of emotional and physical connections between men and women without the expectation of marriage.
Societal Attitudes of His Time
Oscar Wilde was living in a period of Victorian England, during which homosexual relations between men and women were severely condemned by society. Homosexuality was considered criminal, and Wilde felt the full force of this judgement as a result of his trial. However, despite the harsh judgement of society, Wilde continued to write and speak openly about his thoughts and feelings, including those related to bisexuality.
This goes to show that, despite the intense pressure, Wilde nevertheless preferred to live an authentic life and stay true to himself. His willingness to accept and celebrate his bisexuality was admirable, considering the time in which he lived. It is a testament to his courage and strength that he was able to stand up for who he was and voice his beliefs despite the intense judgement of society.
In conclusion, there is strong evidence to suggest that Oscar Wilde was indeed bisexual. Despite the harsh judgement of society and legal discrimination against homosexuality, Wilde still chose to live an authentic life and celebrate his bisexuality. His legacy continues to inspire the LGBT community today and serves as a reminder that love and acceptance come in many forms.
