Oscar Wilde: Life, Works, and Legacy
Oscar Wilde: Life and Times
Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin in 1854 and died in Paris in 1900. He was an Anglo-Irish writer known for his wit, flamboyant style, and literary genius. He wrote many plays, among them *The Importance of Being Earnest* (1895).
Early Life and Education
During his school and university years, Wilde won numerous awards and became interested in aestheticism and Greek literature. This led him to win a demyship at Magdalen College, Oxford. He embraced aestheticism and non-conformity, and he was very interested in achieving fame.
Early Career and Travels (1880s)
Before attending university, Wilde did not publish any books. He traveled and gave lectures. His first writings were not very successful, but he was gradually gaining recognition. Seeking a good reputation, he entered elite circles of famous individuals. He began writing poems, which were well-received, but his early plays did not achieve the same level of success. In 1881, he was hired to give a lecture tour in America about a play. His initially small tour expanded into a six-month journey across the entire country, significantly boosting his fame.
Marriage and Family
Oscar married Constance Lloyd in 1884 at the age of 28. They had two sons, born in 1885 and 1886. He continued with his lectures and later became a news editor for a magazine called *Ladies’ World*. He changed its focus and name to *The Woman’s World*, emphasizing women’s perspectives on music, literature, and modern life. The magazine presented women as intellectuals and artists.
Literary Success (1889-1891)
In July 1889, Wilde left the magazine and focused on writing plays and essays. This period marked his most successful years. In 1891, he published *The Picture of Dorian Gray* and *A Woman of No Importance*.
Relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas
Wilde was increasingly accepted into aristocratic circles. He met Lord Alfred Douglas in 1891, an aristocrat and homosexual. Within a year, they had traveled throughout Europe, and Wilde became obsessed with him.
Peak of Fame (1893-1895)
From 1893 to 1895, Wilde reached the height of his fame and wrote *The Importance of Being Earnest*.
Scandal and Imprisonment (1895-1897)
From 1895 onward, rumors circulated about Wilde. Lord Douglas’s father, disapproving of their friendship, accused Wilde of being a sodomite. The father won the trial, and Wilde was sentenced to two years of hard labor. Prison conditions were harsh: he spent 23 hours a day in his cell, forbidden to speak to anyone. Prisoners were only allowed to read the Bible, could not have photos, and could only send a letter every three months.
Mother’s Death
Wilde’s mother was dying, but he was not allowed to visit her. She died in February 1896.
Release and Exile
Due to his deteriorating mental and physical health, Wilde was moved to Reading Prison. He was released on May 19, 1897, and immediately went to France.
Final Years
Wilde’s wife and children moved to Italy and changed their names. His wife refused to see him because he continued his relationship with Lord Douglas. In 1898, his wife died. Wilde never wrote again, drank heavily, and his financial situation worsened. Before his death on November 30, 1900, he converted to Catholicism. His work continued to be popular in the years following his death, with publications in 1902, 1909, 1911, and 1913.
Legacy and Themes
Wilde was a key figure in the aesthetic movement, rejecting the Victorian emphasis on the moral purpose of art. His works often explored themes of hypocrisy, morality, beauty, and art, often through the lens of comedy of manners, satirizing Victorian society.