Oscar Wilde was a colorful and influential figure, who was born in Dublin in 1854. He was an Irish poet, playwright, novelist, and essayist. Wilde was renowned for his sharp wit and flamboyant sense of style, as well as his erudite and catchy dialogue. His works have been read and studied the world over for more than a century. Wilde’s most famous works include “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and “The Importance of Being Earnest”. His plays such as “An Ideal Husband” and “Lady Windermere’s Fan” remain popular to this day.
During his lifetime, Wilde was viewed as an enfant terrible of the British literary scene, and he was the target of frequent scorn and derision for his writings and for embracing the Aesthetic Movement. His one novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, created controversy, with some accusing him of writing works that praised amoral behavior. However, Wilde managed to maintain a loyal following of admirers, and his influence on modern literature and culture remains palpable.
Wilde was also known to be an exceptionally well-traveled individual, with familiar sojourns to London and Paris, as well as a brief, three-month visit to the United States. His travels and his life oftentimes influenced his writings. Additionally, Wilde was deeply invested in the adoration of beauty and its reliance on art, aspiration, and imagination.
Although Wilde lived during the Victorian Era, which was deeply conservative and restrictive, he did not govern himself according to societal norms. He openly expressed his eccentricity and his love of decoration, which some found to be quite shocking and disrespectful. Despite this, Wilde had an almost cult-like following of admirers.
Oscar Wilde’s legacy remains strong to this day. His witty, often risque dialogue has been the source of entertainment for generations, and the impact of his works are still felt in literature, theater, and popular culture. Despite his outlandishness and scandal, he is widely revered as one of the most important British playwrights of his time.
Early Life
Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin in 1854 and educated at Trinity College, Dublin and Oxford University. It was at Oxford that Wilde began to develop his dramatic abilities and to embrace the Aesthetic Movement with its emphasis on creating works of art that had beauty and artistry in them. This style of writing soon made its way into his works, which often included intricate wordplay and ornate visuals.
Wilde was already well-known in certain social circles when he published his first novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, in 1890. This book sparked outrage in some sectors of the British public, due to its exploration of homosexuality and immorality. Despite this, the book was widely praised for its intricate use of language and its imaginative visual descriptions.
Wilde married Constance Lloyd in 1884. Together, they had two children, Cyril and Vyvyan. A few years after the marriage, Wilde began an affair with Lord Alfred Douglas, much to the dismay of his family and society. The two were subsequently embroiled in a very public scandal and trial, which resulted in Wilde being convicted of “gross indecency” and ultimately, imprisonment.
During his time in prison, Wilde wrote some of his best works, such as his famous poem “The Ballad of Reading Gaol” and his moving essay, “De Profundis”. He was released in 1897 and was immediately exiled from England, never returning home again.
Influences
Oscar Wilde was influences greatly by the writings of Henrik Ibsen, Thomas Carlyle, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Plato. His works often contain elements of satire and wit, in addition to the imaginative visuals found in Aestheticism that he was so fond of.
Wilde was also heavily influenced by his travels, which included frequent visits to both London and Paris. His time abroad gave him further insight into the importance of art and culture, as well as a further appreciation of the beauty found in both places. This was particularly influential on his writing style and choice of subject matters.
Wilde also had a deep appreciation for the theatre and its importance in entertaining, educating, and enlightening audiences. His stage works often brought comedy and tragedy together, often making stark social commentaries amidst the laughter and tears. His comedic plays such as “The Importance of Being Earnest” remain staples of today’s theatre.
Wilde’s influence on literature and culture is seen in his ongoing popularity and recognition. He has been the focus of biographical films and musicals, as well as plays and books about his life and works. He continues to inspire and intrigue generations of audiences, making him one of the most iconic figures in the literary world.
Post-Prison and Death
Oscar Wilde was released from prison after a two year sentence in 1897. Soon after his release, he was exiled from England, never to return again. He spent the rest of his life in Paris, writing and publishing various works in an attempt to regain financial success.
His tragic decline to poverty and illness was further compounded by his infidelities, and the public shunning he received. Struggling financially, Wilde had to resort to selling his works, such as the manuscripts for the left-over stories from “The Happy Prince and Other Tales”, in order to support himself.
Wilde died in Paris in 1900 at the age of 46. He is buried in the city’s famous Pere Lachaise cemetery, where a stone memorial stands in his honour. Wilde’s last words were “My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One of us has to go.”
Works
Oscar Wilde is best remembered today for his plays, such as “An Ideal Husband”, “Lady Windermere’s Fan”, “A Woman of No Importance”, “Salome”, and “The Importance of Being Earnest”. He is also renowned for his novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, as well as his collection of fairy tales, “The Happy Prince and Other Tales”.
Wilde wrote many essays and poems too, most of which are still be read and studied today. His poems such as “The Ballad of Reading Gaol” and “The Picture of Dorian Gray” remain particularly popular. He is also known for his epigrams, which often expressed an ironic wit and his rebellious nature, such as the famous quote “Be Yourself; Everyone else is already taken”.
Wilde’s works are still being studied and performed today, with new adaptations and analyses emerging every day. His plays are regularly performed throughout the world, as well as in London’s famous West End. His novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray” has been adapted numerous times, most recently into a feature length film and a Broadway musical.
The influence of Oscar Wilde can be felt in the works of many modern writers, including J.K. Rowling and Stephen Fry, who cite him as an influence on their works. His legacy lives on in many forms, making him a timeless figure who continues to enthrall audiences around the world.
The Aesthetic Movement
The Aesthetic Movement was a late 19th century movement that advocated for the appreciation of beauty in all its forms. This movement was based on the idea that all art should emphasize beauty, no matter the subject matter. This was a radical idea at the time, and it was very much frowned upon by the traditionalists of the period.
Oscar Wilde was a key figure in the movement and its primary advocate in literature. He fully embraced the ideals of the Aesthetic Movement, which often manifested themselves in his works. He wrote with a focus on beauty and art, which was at odds with the heavily opinionated and moralistic state of the time. This led to a lot of criticism of his work, but ultimately he maintained his commitment to his art.
The Aesthetic Movement was also about the adoption of a certain style, which was characterized by an embrace of exoticism and color. Wilde adopted a very flamboyant wardrobe, as well as a love for adornment. He was often criticized for his overtly ostentatious style of dress, but this only served to further his reputation as a revolutionary figure.
The Aesthetic Movement has experienced a resurgence in recent years, with many writers, artists, and musicians utilizing its ideals in their own works. Many of Wilde’s works are still studied and performed, continuing to influence modern literature and art.
Legacy
Oscar Wilde’s legacy is one of defiance and innovation, of wit and artistry. His works have had an enduring influence, not only on the world of literature and theatre, but also on culture and society. He remains an iconic figure in literature, and his works still captivate audiences to this day.
Wilde’s influence is still seen in modern literature and theatre, with his works being adapted and read throughout the world. His experimental style and rebellious attitude has made him an enduring cultural figure. He has also been the subject of many novels, biographical films, and musicals.
Oscar Wilde’s legacy is one of pushing boundaries, of pushing past the restrictive morals and attitudes of Victorian society. He stood for the idea that beauty, art, and imagination should reign above all else. This is an incredibly important message, and it is one that is still relevant today.
Wilde is an iconic figure who continues to inspire and influence writers, audiences, and generations. He stands as one of the most important literary figures of his time, and his influence is still seen throughout the world today.
