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Exploring the World of Oscar Wilde

Middle-aged dark-haired man with medium-length hair sitting in a chair, holding a cigarette, wearing a white shirt, dark vest, and jacket in 19th-century style, with papers on the table beside him.
In

The Life and Death of the Master Barbed Wit

Oscar Wilde, born in 1854, was an Irish poet and playwright renowned for his sharp wit and sensual style, which mirrored his flamboyant and rebellious life. He defied the rigid societal norms of the 19th century, building upon solid foundations that were eventually shaken by an unforgiving society.

“There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.” —Oscar Wilde; The Picture of Dorian Gray

Raised in an intellectual household, Wilde mastered English, French, and German from a young age. His academic brilliance, particularly in Greek, earned him a scholarship and launched his career as a poet. His silver tongue, literary prowess, and striking fashion sense drew considerable attention and made him a public sensation. Accepting an invitation to lecture, he spent a year in the United States and Canada before returning to the UK to share his observations of the New World.

Wilde had two sons with Constance Lloyd, and a few years later, made literary history with his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, a tale of vanity and moral degradation. This Gothic novel captivated readers with its exploration of the darker aspects of the human soul. Around this time, Wilde began engaging in secret relationships with men, reflecting his bisexuality—a theme subtly woven into his works.

His relationship with Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas, a poet and journalist, led to his downfall. Wilde was accused of sodomy at the insistence of Bosie’s father, the Marquess of Queensberry, who threatened to disinherit his son unless he testified against Wilde. This scandal destroyed Wilde’s reputation and career, and he was sentenced to two years of hard labour in prison.

During his imprisonment, Wilde’s wife, Constance, moved abroad with their sons and changed their surname to escape the scandal. She visited him after his mother’s death, and they corresponded frequently, though she died just two years after Wilde’s release due to a botched surgery.

Imprisonment left Wilde physically and emotionally shattered. He moved to France after his release, but his health continued to deteriorate, and he passed away in 1900, a year after Constance, from meningitis, unable to revive his career.

Photograph of Oscar Wilde (1882) in sepia tones, sitting in a chair with a walking cane and a fur-collared coat.
Photo of Oscar Wilde (1882)

The Timeless Echo of Wilde’s Works

My first encounter with Wilde’s work was through a Czech translation of The Picture of Dorian Gray. I was barely thirteen, yet the story captivated me, opening doors to a multitude of authors influenced by Wilde’s legacy. It wasn’t until much later that I had the opportunity to read Wilde in English, where I discovered an even deeper beauty, embellished with nuances that simply could not be translated.

Wilde’s writing style blends the spirit of poetry with satire, a fusion that dances across his pages like sunlight on water, revealing the absurdities of societal norms. His mastery of language and his poetic soul are evident in his rich vocabulary, the theatricality of his characters, and the small nuances in his work—such as referring to the moon as “her.”

“He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.” —Oscar Wilde; The Canterville Ghost

I have long found Wilde’s life and writing as fascinating as the many authors before and probably after me as well. His fearless critique of society, his command of language, and his dramatic sensibilities have resonated with me for years. I admire his talent and the courage he displayed in being true to himself, despite the oppressive censorship of his time. He is, without doubt, one of the great classical masters, his spirit enduring across centuries.

I look forward to reading his works in other languages and learning more about the authors who influenced him, like Walter Pater and John Ruskin.

While Wilde needs little introduction, I hope this article has rekindled your memories of his work. 

In future articles, I will explore Wilde’s individual pieces, delving into their themes and timeless relevance. Join me as we journey through the mesmerising world of Oscar Wilde, where wit and wisdom intertwine.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to sharing more literary explorations with you soon!

Yours Truly,

Nathaniel Wonderful

Sources:
Wikipedia, Britannica

Illumine the world

Author

nathanielwonderful@gmail.com

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