Some responses may include: • The significance of the title is in its double meaning; it is a play on words. Wilde’s humour is aimed at the Victorian notions of duty and respectability. To be ‘earnest’ can mean to be serious or sincere, which Wilde saw as hallmarks of the Victorian character. To be called ‘Ernest’ is fundamentally important to shallow characters in this play. Gwendolen wants to marry a man called Ernest, not caring whether he possesses the qualities that comprise earnestness.
It is true to say that a comedy involves ‘men of a middling estate’, in MAAN the protagonists share the company of the Prince Don Pedro, and are socially superior to the watchmen such as Dogberry and Verges. What Snyder is implying is that comedies centre very much on social hierarchy and formalities. The males in MAAN use language in order to demonstrate their position in society, in time of production courtiers were expected to speak in highly contrived language but to make their clever performances seems effortless; this is no more evident than of Benedick who constantly uses wit in order to prove his wisdom to the other characters. In his ‘merry-war’[1] with Beatrice he responds shrewdly and fast-paced, calling her - in response to one of her remarks - a
Both Jack and Algernon are admired by two young ladies who mistakenly believe the men's names to be Ernest, and who adore the men for this very reason. In relating the story of mix-ups and mistaken identities, the ideals and manners of the Victorian society are satirized in a comedy where the characters "treat all the trivial things of life seriously and all the serious things of life with sincere and studied triviality" (Wilde back cover), in the words of the author himself. Oscar Wilde’s comical scenes often take their source in social satire and non-conformism (Baselga 15). Throughout his play, In The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde satirizes education, women, and morality. Oscar Wilde satirizes the British education by using Lady Bracknell.
Is Benedick the comic hero of the play? How far do you agree with this statement? Suggesting if Benedick is the comic hero of Much Ado About Nothing is difficult to pin point a precise hero as each character possess a different comical trait. For the reason that each character during the play being a character to laugh at or with for respite after tragic events, for instance Dogberry’s use of malapropism mocks authority and makes fun of those who are in it. Devices that are used by Benedick and Beatrice are Bawdy language, word play and puns, which are very different compared to Dogberry’s According to Aristotle the idea of comedy comes from speculation concerning men dancing, signing and cavorting around the image of a phallus.
It is suggested by this then that the play holds no deeper meaning or message of morality; it is simply designed to fulfill a purpose through usage of traditional comedic techniques. However, some have interpretated themes of sexuality and a gentle mocking of Victorian customs ultimately leaving the play open to assumption. The Importance of being Earnest certainly maintains many traits of a great comedy of manners, "A comedy that satirizes behaviour in a particular social group"(dictionary.com). In fact many people have hailed it as "the greatest stage comedy of all time", this triumph supports the viewpoint that Wilde merely succeeded in entertaining his audience rather than channeling a deeper understanding. The use of slapstick by Wilde produces a contrived and absurd plotline that is in every way unrealistic.
The Importance of Being Earnest as Timeless Social and Political Satire [For All Generations] The Importance of Being Earnest was written in 1896 by famous playwright, Oscar Wilde, and is a timeless masterpiece that transcends time because it has satirical elements that target social and political issues that are still invariably controversial in today’s society. The play consistently parodies issues such as the relationship between romance and marriage and one’s socioeconomic status and marriage. In the traditional sense, romance and marriage probably should fall hand-in-hand, and though one’s socioeconomic status probably should not be the decided factor of a marriage, it is the play’s mission to satirically suggest otherwise. While romance and marriage should inherently fall hand-in-hand, looming faithfully overhead is the idea that romance suddenly disappears shortly after the wedding. Perhaps the inevitable experience of coming to terms with the thought of living together forever procures an uneasy feeling and puts an impression on newlyweds that marriage turns into a series of routines and monotony.
Quince’s pun, ‘for it is nothing but roaring’ (when in conversation with Snug) alludes quick-witted humour. Quince’s double-entendres are also amusing, ‘some of your French crowns have no hair at all…’ Quince’s repartee particularly displays the typical features of a comedy. Thirdly, the use of sarcasm and insults also enforce my expectations of the play being a dramatic comedy. ‘You have your father’s love, Demetrius’ is one example of sarcasm, as said by Lysander. His comment comes across as sarcastic as he is mindful, and perhaps jealous, of the fact that his lover’s father wishes her to marry another man - Demetrius.
When he talks about Rosaline it seems as though he is acting the part of an unrequited lover. We notice this, along with Benvolio, which makes his love almost comical as we know that it is not serious. Also he often says “O” with a sign. This makes the audience feel that he is being melodramatic. This expression of anguish seems over the top.
His comedy is so great that he is able to transcend normal societal rules; Elizabethan England was an incredibly hierarchal society in which absolute respect ought to be shown to those in power, and yet although he is a servant, the Fool’s humorous nature seems to exempt him from the expectation of respectfulness. The Fool is not present after Act 3, and his absence removes the comic relief of the play and plunges it into more serious,
Just as the novel mentions, “he spoke as if Daisy’s reaction was the only thing that mattered.” (Fitzgerald, 2001: 192) Gatsby is nimble and ambitious in making money, which shows the “sagacity” of modern people, but towards love he gives us the impression of “a naive young man.” The reader may wonder what makes Gatsby great? Gatsby is great because of his loyalty to love. He has the desire to repeat the past, and the desire for money. For Gatsby, Daisy is the soul of his dreams. He believes he can regain Daisy.