Poetry (eBook)

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) was an Irish playwright, novelist, essayist, and poet known for his barbed wit, flamboyant style, and brilliant conversational abilities. One of the most famous writers of the late 19th century, he was a leading figure in London's social and cultural life. Wilde's literary contributions are wide-ranging, though he is best known for his novel 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' his plays, including 'The Importance of Being Earnest' and 'Lady Windermere's Fan,' and his tragic fate that followed his imprisonment for 'gross indecency.' As a poet, Wilde's early work can be seen in his collection 'Poems,' which was published in 1881 to mixed reviews. The volume contains pieces that are emblematic of his aesthetic tastes and his interest in the Pre-Raphaelite movement and classical themes. Throughout his oeuvre, one can detect a sense of duality and the celebration of beauty, all delivered with his famously sharp wit. Wilde's literary style combines a classical education with an acute awareness of modernity, making brilliant use of epigrams and irony. His writing continues to be celebrated for its wit, elegiac beauty, and its critique of Victorian society. In many ways, Wilde's life mirrored his art, reflecting both brilliance and tragedy, thus enriching the interpretation of his works and securing his place as a significant cultural icon.