Poems, with The Ballad of Reading Gaol (eBook)

Oscar Wilde, the quintessence of Victorian wit and one of the most prominent playwrights, novelists, and poets of the late 19th century, was born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland. His flamboyant and sharp literary style combined with his biting wit has earned him a special place in the annals of English literature. Wilde's diverse literary portfolio includes the celebrated novel 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', a tale that chillingly explores themes of aestheticism and duality, as well as satirical plays like 'The Importance of Being Earnest', which poke fun at the veneers of Victorian society. Wilde was a master of the epigram, an art form he utilized to great effect, ensuring his reputation as a conversationalist and raconteur as much as a writer. His poetic contributions, especially the collection titled 'Poems' and the soul-stirring 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol'—a poignant reflection on the cruelty of the penal system, inspired by his own imprisonment—highlight Wilde's sensitivity to beauty and his condemnation of its suppression. Despite his untimely death on November 30, 1900, at the age of 46, Wilde's literary repartee and exploration of paradox and artifice continue to influence and enchant readers and scholars alike.