Introduction
“The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde is a classic comedy exploring love, deception, and societal expectations. One of the most prominent aspects of this play is its use of humor. Through this technique, Wilde effectively conveys the importance of being true to oneself in a world entirely of pretense. Wilde employs various techniques to create humor, including witty dialogue, absurd situations, and ironic twists, which appear effective.
The Use of Humor in “The Importance of Being Earnest”
Wilde’s witty dialogue is vital to creating humor throughout the play. The characters exchange quick-fire dialogue full of witty wordplay and puns. For example, when Algernon asks Jack about his intentions towards his ward Cecily, Jack replies, “I thought you had come up for pleasure?… I call that business” (Wilde, 2006, p.6). Wilde’s ability to convert a regular discussion into a funny exchange through excellent word choice is displayed in this encounter.
Moreover, the author often uses absurd situations to generate laughter in the audience. One example is when Algernon impersonates Jack’s imaginary brother, Ernest. Both men struggle to maintain their separate lives, which leads to misunderstandings and funny occurrences. The insanity is in their willingness to make considerable efforts to retain their phony identities.
Furthermore, irony plays an integral part in establishing humor throughout the play. This technique is employed when characters say one thing but mean another or when events unfold unexpectedly. Lady Bracknell, for example, rejects Jack as a possible suitor for her daughter Gwendolen because he was discovered as a newborn in a handbag at Victoria Station. The irony is that Lady Bracknell married to riches and hence has no genuine claim to her high social status.
Furthermore, Wilde utilizes satire to generate humor in his play. He typically used it to ridicule Victorian society’s fixation with looks and the severe social rules of the day. Lady Bracknell, for example, exemplifies stereotyped upper-class elitism and is depicted as a mockery of society’s ideals. Her ridiculous requests and dramatic reactions to various circumstances make the audience laugh.
Conclusion
Overall, Wilde’s writing is full of humor depicted through various approaches such as witty dialogue, bizarre circumstances, irony, and satire. These techniques form a comedy masterwork that entertains and questions society’s conventions and expectations. Wilde’s ability to employ comedy successfully contributes to the play’s ongoing appeal. By highlighting the absurdity of societal expectations and exposing the shallow nature of upper-class society, Wilde invites his audience to question their assumptions about morality and authenticity.
Reference
Wilde, O. (2006). The importance of being earnest. Web.