Oscar Wilde, the famous 19th century Irish poet, playwright and novelist was well known for his prodigious literary works and rapier wit. His life and career were very tumultuous and eventful, including his marriage. Reports vary on the exact date that he was married, but most sources agree that his marriage to Constance Lloyd occurred in 1884. They had two children together, Cyril and Vyvyan, before their divorce.
Wilde and Lloyd first met in 1881 when she was visiting London. She was a daughter of an affluent Queens Counsel, Horace Lloyd. Constance and Wilde started their courtship in 1883 and it is thought that they became engaged in early 1884. On May 29, 1884 they were married at St. James Church, Paddington. It is believed that their wedding was a relatively small affair, with just a few close family and friends in attendance.
During their early years together in London, Oscar and Constance enjoyed the literary salons and enjoyed entertaining guests with their famous dinner parties. However, this was not to last. Wilde was becoming increasingly drawn to an outsider lifestyle and flouted the conventions of the bourgeoisie. Wilde’s courtship of various gentlemen, his relationships, and his constant partying, put an unbearable strain on the marriage.
By 1891, Wilde and Lloyd had separated, and ultimately Wilde was gaoled for homosexual acts. After his release, Wilde began proceedings to have the marriage annulled on the grounds of non-consummation. The annulment was granted in 1897 and they were officially divorced. Wilde sadly never remarried, as he died in 1900 at the young age of 46.
Oscar Wilde’s children
Wilde’s children with Constance were born in London, and were initially brought up by Constance and her mother Lady Abbley after the separation. In 1891, when the court granted Constance a decree of separation, she accepted an allowance from Wilde. Part of the arrangement was that the children would remain with Constance but would spent holidays with their father. However, Wilde’s imprisonment and scandal meant that contact with the children would be restricted, so after Wilde had served his sentence Constance expatriated to Europe and took both Cyril and Vyvyan with her.
Cyril and Vyvyan were both born into extreme affluence, surrounded as they were by some of the greatest writers and thinkers of their time. As children, they were surrounded by influences, both positive and negative. They were just 13 and 10 respectively when their father died. Despite the turmoil in their lives, both boys achieved some levels of success. Cyril initially took up a successful career in the military and later went into publishing, while Vyvyan took the path of stage and film, appearing in both British and American productions. Both Cyril and Vyvyan married, however, neither had any children.
The effect of separation on the marriage
By 1893, Wilde’s lifestyle had become unbearable for Constance, and the couple had been separated for two years. The separation caused considerable strain on the marriage and Wilde increasingly viewed his children as a burden. He would sometimes ignore them, and referred to them in his correspondence as “burdensome little people”, while at other times he would appreciate their company, referring to them fondly as “my little angels”.
The strain that Wilde’s behavior had on the marriage grew so much that Wilde eventually filed for an annulment on grounds of non-consummation. While it is unclear whether Wilde had a sexual relationship with another man when he was married to Constance Lloyd, it is known that he had become increasingly interested in the aesthetic lifestyle of the time. This, coupled with his impecunious circumstances and reduced income, had put enormous strain on their marriage.
The impact of Oscar Wilde’s divorce on him and his family
The main impact of Wilde’s divorce was financial in nature. Since Wilde had no other sources of income following his release from prison, his allowance was reduced and he was unable to support himself or his children. He had to rely on his friends and family to provide for him and his family. This had a severe impact on his reputation, as his creditors started to seek payment of the money they were due.
The other extreme impact of the divorce was that Wilde felt agonised and isolated, as his friends and acquaintances began to shun him. The once popular Wilde, who was admired by both socialites and non-socialites now found himself ostracized from society. He had to accept that his own life was to blame for the way his family had to suffer and he struggled to reconcile himself to it.
Oscar Wilde’s later years and death
Wilde found himself in relative poverty during his later years, as he had been censured by friends and family, as well as creditors. With no income and no way to support his former family, Wilde was forced to flee to France in order to avoid his creditors. Here, he found sanctuary in the Hotel d’Alsace, living in a small room, unable to pay his debts.
Despite his financial and social struggles, Wilde returned to his work, authoring several pieces during this period, including his famous essay, De Profundis. While in Paris, Wilde’s health began to deteriorate and he eventually passed away on November 30th 1900 at the age of 46. Despite the tragedy of his life, Wilde remains an important literary figure to this day.
The legacy of Oscar Wilde
Wilde’s legacy is both complex and powerful. On the one hand, he is remembered for his iconic writing, with works such as The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest. On the other hand, he was renowned for his scandalous lifestyle, with many of the themes he wrote about revolving around the coteries he associated himself with and his estrangement from mainstream society.
Wilde’s legacy lives on, both on the big screen and in literature. Every year, there are adaptations of his works, as well as biopics such as Wilde and Dotan Gray, both of which bring his life and work to a new generation. His thoughts on art, beauty and life continue to hold relevance in today’s society, as his philosophy still resonates with those in the creative industries.
Oscar Wilde’s trials and tribulations
Wilde’s life was one of trials and tribulations, from his early days of political dissent to his time in prison. During his time in court for indecency, Wilde received widespread criticism for his behaviour, as he was seen as a beacon of morality and was condemned for flouting social conventions. This had a direct effect on Wilde’s work and reputation.
Wilde’s imprisonment not only ruined his reputation but also placed a considerable emotional and financial strain on his wife and children. Wilde had worked hard to support his family and his imprisonment and legal trials had a dramatic effect on their lives. His children with Constance were effectively ostracized from society and their financial stability was under threat, as Wilde was unable to pay the debts he had accrued.
How Oscar Wilde’s legacy affects today
Oscar Wilde’s legacy is still felt today in the literary and artistic circles of today. His works are still shared and read widely, with his controversial views and style making him stand out from other writers of his time. In particular, his exploration of Victorian society and his criticism of its norms have been widely discussed and analysed by modern scholars.
Furthermore, Wilde’s biography of events, including his love life, marriage and subsequent imprisonment, have served as an inspiration to many who have gone on to challenge the conformist status quo. His arresting wit, which is often characterised as the hallmark of a true artist, is still shared, appreciated and enjoyed today.
