Oscar Wilde

You’ve read Aristophanes’ The Acharnians and Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The final comic play you will study is a satirical play by Oscar Wilde called The Importance of Being Earnest. Wilde wrote the play in 1899 during the Victorian Period in England. In his play, Wilde criticizes the foibles of Britain's upper class by using comedy.

Take note of Wilde's use of verbal irony, satire, facades, and any other literary elements. Reflect on the rhetorical devices' impact on the play's comic tone.

Video Lesson

Before you read the play, view the following video on the Irish Literary Renaissance to contextualize Wilde’s work.

Reading Assignment: “The Importance of Being Earnest”

Please download and read The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.

Embedded and Audio Versions

Read the embedded version of The Importance of Being Earnest here:

Listen to an audio version of The Importance of Being Earnest here:

Act 1:

Act 2:

Act 3:

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