The Importance of being Earnest is one of Oscar Wilde’s most famous plays. He notoriously called it “A trivial comedy for serious people.” The play premiered in London on 1895 at the height of Wilde’s career.
Context of The Importance of Being Earnest
Wilde’s previous works such as A Woman of No Importance and An Ideal Husband had by this time already marked him out as a brilliant writer of witty satire. The play ran for 83 performances, but ultimately Wilde’s own tumultuous personal life overshadowed his plays during his own lifetime.
However, the play is now considered a true classic of not only Victorian, but any English-language theatre. It is still widely performed and is espoused as one of the greatest comedies ever written.
Famously, the premier was in itself a drama. As is now widely known Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas were lovers. However, when the play opened not only was homosexuality taboo and frowned upon, it was illegal. On the opening night of The Importance of Being Earnest Lord Douglas’ father attempted to expose the pair’s sexuality. Although he did not succeed, this eventually led to Wilde being convicted and imprisoned for homosexual acts.
The play is perhaps an unlikely hit with modern audiences and is very much entrenched in the upper-class Victorian world which the play portrays. Nonetheless, Oscar Wilde’s wit and scathing satire has transcended the play’s context. It is still widely performed by touring and provincial companies. It has also been adapted for the screen on several occasions; most recently in 2002, starring Colin Firth and Rupert Everett
The Importance of Being Earnest has even been translated with some success, despite the fact that one of the big jokes of the piece depends upon the two words 'earnest' and 'Ernest' being homophones.
Synopsis of The Play
The Importance of Being Earnest opens in Algernon’s living room where he and his best friend, Jack, otherwise known as Ernest, discuss their shared talent for deceit. Jack, lives in a provincial manor and masquerades as Ernest when he ventures into town.
Algernon on the other hand has created a friend called Bunbury, who is constantly coming down with mysterious illnesses, which gives Algernon an excuse to dismiss any engagements he does not want to attend.
Jack, as Ernest, has professed his love to Gwendolyn, who also happens to be Algernon’s cousin. Gwendolyn's mother, Lady Bracknell, is a formidable and larger than life character, who upon learning that ’Ernest’ was found at a railway terminal, refuses to allow the pair to marry.
Algernon, on the other hand, visits the country to sample Jack’s lifestyle and unbeknownst to Jack presents himself as Jacks’ brother, Ernest. While there Algernon becomes smitten with Jack’s young ward, Cecily.
Meanwhile, Jack determines to end his double life, so returns to his country estate with the news that Ernest is dead. Confusion, mistaken-identity, and farcical comedy follows. But will the deceitful men ever discover the importance of being earnest?
It has often been insinuated that the word "bunburying" was an 'in-joke' by the playwright, used to suggest homosexual sex. This has been refuted by many however, including the actor John Gielgud, whose performance as Jack is considered to be one of the greatest.
The Full-Length Version of The Play
The first final draft of the play is consderably longer than the one that went into production. Wilde's original version consisted of four acts, but the manager of the St James' Theatre insisted upon reducing the play's length. Wilde agreed to make the changes and the result was the three act version which is now prevalent. However, the uncut version is in circulation and is sometimes performed.
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