Oscar Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright who wrote nine plays between 1879 and 1894. He was born in Dublin and studied at both Trinity College in Dublin as well as Magdalen College in Oxford. He settled in London and became known for his extravagant clothes, long hair, and absurd views on art, literature, and morality. He flaunted his homosexual affairs and was sentenced into prison for ‘gross indecency’, leading to public humiliation, poor health, and bankruptcy. When he was released he left for France and remained there until his death in 1900.
His first play was called Vera, or The Nihilists and is a tragic melodrama published in 1880 that follows the heroine Vera Zasulich who is exhorted by her brother to join the Nihilist movement in Moscow. She then rises up to become one of the top assassins in the movement and falls in love with fellow revolutionary Alexis. He soon reveals a secret identity so unexpected that Vera’s commitment to her love and ideals are tested.
His second play is called Salomé and is a tragedy based on the biblical story of King Herod. It is considered to be Wilde’s boldest written story and was published in 1891. Salomé, stepdaughter of King Herod, falls in love with John the Baptist, attempting to seduce him. Her refuses her but she doesn’t listen, promising him that she will kiss his mouth. Herod then becomes captivated by her and begs her to dance for him, promising her anything. She obliges and orders him to bring her John the Baptist’s head. He listens, and this allows Salomé to fulfil her sinful promise. However, Herod becomes angry upon seeing this and orders for her death.
His third play, published in 1891, is called The Duchess of Padua and is centered around a young man named Guido Ferranti who has come to Padua to learn of the secret behind his birth. He is told that his father’s life was ruined by the duke of Padua, and Guido is convinced that it is his job to take revenge by murdering the duke. He later balks at the task only for it to be carried out by his lover Beatrice, who is the wife of the Duke. The play ends in the double suicide of the lovers.
His fourth play, published in 1893, is called An Ideal Husband and follows the story of a man who must stop his wife from finding out that his entire career is built on selling political secrets. Robert Chiltern is a popular politician and does whatever it takes to succeed, including blackmail and illegal activity. His wife, Gertrude, has no idea that this is where his wealth comes from. The play is set in 19th century London and criticizes aspects of Victorian society, dealing with complex moral themes.
Sources cited: Oscar Wilde. Drama Online – Oscar Wilde. (n.d.). Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://www.dramaonlinelibrary.com/person?docid=person_wildeOscar
Oscar Wilde Online. Oscar Wilde’s Plays. (n.d.). Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://www.wilde-online.info/plays.htm
Stay tuned for the next blog post, which talks about the other five plays!
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