Playwright
Oscar Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright who achieved immense fame during the late 19th century and is often considered the best-known playwright of that era. Wilde’s plays are known for their wit, ambition and complex symbols and themes. His works have been adapted into movies and TV series, becoming some of the most beloved and iconic works of British literature. He wrote both comedies and tragedies.
Books
Wilde wrote a range of books including plays, essays, poems, and stories. Some of his most well-known works were ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan’, and ‘An Ideal Husband’. Among his other works are ‘The Happy Prince and Other Tales’, ‘The Ballad of Reading Gaol’, ‘Dorian Gray Picture’, ‘De Profundis’, and ‘Vera’. Wilde also wrote more than a dozen poems, including ‘Ravenna’, ‘Charmides’, and ‘The Sphinx’.
Themes
In many of his works Wilde deals with themes such as individualism and morality, love, faith, courage, and beauty. He often uses wit, irony, and satire to make his point, and his plays often feature dark humour and complex characters who struggle with moral dilemmas.
Reception
Wilde’s works were highly acclaimed during his lifetime and have continued to be so since. Literary critic and biographer Jesse Sheidlower said, “Wilde is one of the great figures in English literature, with a body of work as large, varied and influential as any other writer of his day”. He is known for his complex characters, powerful dialogue, and rich themes which remain relevant even today.
Style
Wilde was known for his witty writing style, which has been described as “distinctly Irish, arch, subtle, and rhetorically sophisticated”, and has been emulated by many contemporary writers. His mastery of language and ability to craft intricate, yet humorous scenes and characters make him one of the most beloved playwrights of all time. Critics have also praised his use of symbolism and his wry take on class and gender roles.
Impact
Wilde’s influence on literature has been widely recognized. His works continue to be admired and studied, and his characters and themes remain widely popular. Many of his stories, such as ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, have been adapted into films and television shows.
Legacy
Wilde is remembered as one of the greatest writers in English literature and his works are widely studied and celebrated. He inspired other writers and his works remain relevant and appreciated even today. Oscar Wilde’s works are a testament to his genius and will remain an important part of the literary canon for generations to come.
Plays
Wilde was primarily known as a playwright and some of his most famous works include ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan’, and ‘An Ideal Husband’. He also wrote ‘Salome’ and ‘Vera’, which were lesser-known but still influential works.
Novels
Wilde wrote one novel, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, which is considered a classic and is one of his most popular works. The novel explores themes of morality, sin, and beauty and has been adapted for film and television many times. Wilde also wrote other works which were classified as ‘fairy stories’, such as ‘The Happy Prince and Other Tales’ and ‘The House of Pomegranates’.
Essays
Wilde wrote many essays, including ‘The Decay of Lying’, ‘The Critic as Artist’, and ‘The Soul of Man Under Socialism’, which explore topics such as art, politics, morality and society. His essays are often seen as ahead of their time and have remained influential in modern culture.
Poetry
Wilde wrote a number of poems throughout his career, notably ‘Charmides’, ‘Ravenna’, and ‘The Sphinx’. His poems explore themes of love, the soul, and mortality, and often feature symbolism and his characteristic wit and satire.
