Oscar Wilde was born in Ireland in 1854. He was born in the city of Dublin, which is the capital of Ireland. His father was a doctor, while his mother was a writer, who wrote the stories and novels, which she read to him from an early age. Oscar Wilde attended Trinity College in Dublin, and graduated with Honour class honours, before moving to London to pursue a career as a professional writer. In London, Oscar Wilde wrote the novels and plays which make up his fame, such as ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ and ‘The Importance of Being Earned’. Oscar also wrote shorter works, such as essays and poems, which contributed to his reputation for witty, aphoristic writing. Wilde also wrote a number of letters in his lifetime, which are among his most enduring legacies.
Though born in Ireland, Oscar Wilde moved away at an early age, and eventually became a citizen of the United Kingdom. In his lifetime, Wilde travelled all over Europe, visiting cities such as Berlin, Vienna, and Paris. He began to make an international reputation for himself, through his novels, plays and essays, which were enjoyed by audiences all over the world. Wilde was a popular figure in the many salons he attended, which brought together a variety of artists, intellectuals, and politicians, and which Wilde himself enjoyed as an important part of his self-expression.
Wilde’s literary output was particularly impressive for its longevity, given the short span of his active literary career. He began writing in 1881 and continued until 1890, publishing both his prose and his poetry. and even after his imprisonment in 1895, new works were released posthumously or published in the press. In particular, his plays, such as ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan’ and ‘A Woman Of No Importance’, remain landmarks of British theatre. The legacy of Oscar Wilde continues to this day and his works are regularly adapted for stage and screen.
Oscar Wilde was one of the most important figures of the late 19th century, influencing the way in which literature, theatre and culture were discussed and written about in Britain. His works were controversial and always attacted large audiences. Many of the ideas and themes he wrote about, such as the value of beauty and art, and the absurdity of Victorian conventions, remain significant today. Oscar Wilde was, and remains, an important figure in British culture and beyond.
Theatre
Oscar Wilde’s interest in the theatre was particularly notable. His plays were some of the most popular in their time, and some of the most performed in the present day. His plays, such as ‘The Importance Of Being Earnest’, featured his wit and his cutting social commentary. Wilde was a frequent presence in London’s West End, often attending glamorous opening nights and staying to enjoy the show. He wrote three successful plays while in London; ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan’, ‘A Woman Of No Importance’ and ‘An Ideal Husband’, alongside numerous other works.
Wilde’s plays challenged many of the conventions of the period, particularly the roles of women and men, and the relationship between money and morality. He also wrote scathingly of class divisions and the distortion of the truth by the rich and powerful. In particular, Wilde made a point of lampooning the self-importance of the Victorian upper classes, and demonstrated a lack of respect for what he perceived as the social hypocrisy of his society. His plays were critical successes, even as they exposed oppressions and hypocrisies of the time.
Wilde’s popularity as an entertainer was particularly evident in his many appearances in salons and other gatherings during his lifetime. He enjoyed the attentions of the wealthy and well-connected, and was often invited to speak at events and furthering his public speaking career. Wilde used this platform to talk openly about social issues and challenge the status quo, his quick wit and intelligence winning over many admirers.
Oscar Wildes final theatrical piece was ‘Salome’, a famous adaptation of the biblical story from which Wilde drew particular inspiration. With its themes of tragedy, desire and revenge, it is now considered one of Wilde’s seminal works, and was seen as one of the earliest examples of modernism in the British theatre. Salome has subsequently been adapted many times over; into operas, ballets, and film versions, each of which has found success and generated great debate.
Fiction
Oscar Wilde was an acclaimed author, and his prose works such as ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ and ‘The Canterville Ghost’ remain classic works of literature. His stories, full of wit and sharp observations, often challenged accepted social norms and conventions. Wilde had a talent for conjuring up characters who embodied his personal philosophical view of the world. His work explored themes of love, art, morality and mortality, and he often used his works to satirize contemporary society.
Wilde’s most famous novel, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ is the story of a young man who finds himself corrupted by the profligate lifestyle he finds himself in. He falls prey to the desires of the people around him, whilst fear of judgement makes him anxious about his own behaviour. The novel explores questions of morality, and the power of influence, as well as themes of vanity, love and rage. It is considered one of the earliest in modern literature, and has been subject to numerous adaptations both on stage and screen.
Other works of Wilde’s fiction include the fairy tales department that composes the collection ‘Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime’ and ‘Poems in Prose’. These stories highlighters the darker side of life, as well as questions of morality. Wilde often wrote of characters and circumstances reflecting his own experience, be it in questions of love, art, politics and human nature. He was a master of irony, and his works frequently comment on the hypocrisy and absurdity of his characters and Victorian society.
Wilde’s Fiction was highly successful, enjoying huge popularity during his lifetime, and subsequently staying in circulation. His stories helped change the way literature was written at the time, and their influence can still be seen today. They are some of the most widely read works in the modern day.
Poetry
Oscar Wilde was also a prolific poet. His poetry is marked by its wit, irony and insight, covering topics such as love and suffering, beauty and truth. Wilde wrote collections such as ‘Ravenna’ and ‘The Ballad of Reading Gaol’, and was praised for his use of vivid imagery and clever metaphors, as well as his particular style of conversational writing. Many of Wilde’s poems continue to be read and celebrated today.
One of Wilde’s most famous poems, ‘The Ballad of Reading Gaol’, was written after he spent time in prison for homosexuality. It documents the travails of those incarcerated, with a particular focus on the injustices sufferred by those who find themsevles trapped within the prison walls. It is considered a landmark piece of literature, highlighting issues such as inequality and prejudice, as well as other social injustices. The poem was praised by many at the time and continues to be read and discussed by many today.
Wilde’s other collections have all achieved great popularity, with works such as ‘The Happy Prince and Other Tales’ being read all over the world. This collection is made up of stories, poems, and fairy tales, all full of wit and wisdom, and has become an enduring classic adored by readers of all ages. Other collections have been admired for their examination of nature and beauty, including ‘The Garden of Eros’ and ‘A House of Pomegranates’.
Wilde’s poetry was notable for its accessibility, for it lacked the complexity of some of his other works. Instead, Wilde wrote in a neater, more easily understood style, and his success lay in the fact that his writing could be similarly appreciated by both the most scholarly of critics and the average reader. The impact of his poetry continues to be felt to this day, with many of them being frequently quoted and shared.
Letters
Oscar Wilde was a frequent correspondent, and his letters have become an integral part of his legacy. His letters contain sharp wit, a sharp eye for detail, and a slyness in his humour that reveals the inner machinations of Victoriansociety. Wilde was an informal correspondent and wrote to a range of people, including close friends, lovers, rivals, admirers and enemies, and his letters demonstrate the intimacy of his relationships with each of these people.
Wilde’s letters to his friends and acquaintances reflect the breadth of his interests, including theatre, art and politics. They also demonstrate a passion for discussing and taking part in intellectual debates. In his letters, Wilde criticizes Victorian values and conventions, as well as pointing out the hypocrisy of many of the period’s attitudes. His wit and insight mean that these letters remain relevant today, as many of the social issues discussed in them remain pertinent.
Wilde’s letters are some of the most enduring of his works, as they offer an insight into the mind of one of the most significant figures of the nineteenth century. They are an invaluable insight into the life of Oscar Wilde, his relationships and the social issues of his time. They reveal a confident and erudite individual, who rejected the norms of his society and used his sharp observations to break them down.
Wilde’s correspondence has a lasting impact on our understanding of him and his life. His wit and irony often used in his letters are both endearing and enduring, and his correspondence remains one of the most significant sources of insight into his character and life.
Death
Oscar Wilde died in 1900, at the age of 46. His death was brought on by an illness related to his years of suffering in prison, and to his harsh treatment by those he knew in his later years. Wilde’s death caused sadness and dismay among those who knew or admired him, and in the following days, tributes from all over the world were written to honour his life and work.
Wilde’s death and funeral proceedings symbolised the complexity and contradictions of his life, as his mourning was attended by the same people who had previously ostracised and exiled him. His funeral was attended by the many people he had inspired, who eulogised him and buried his remains in Paris, a testament to his legacy as an exile from his home country of Ireland.
Oscar Wilde’s shrouded body had been transported to France after leaving London, and this decision has been interpreted in a variety of ways by various authors and scholars. For Wilde, Paris represented a refuge and consolation after his years of suffering and alienation, and the decision to have his body interred in the city was seen as a fitting one.
Wilde’s death drew a final line under his life as a controversial figure in Victorian society. He left behind a sparse collection of writing and a wealth of influence, with which was carried on by later writers and artists. To this day, he is remembered as one of the most talented and iconoclastic figures of the late 19th century.
