Escritas

Poems List

To regret one’s own experiences is to arrest one’s own development. To deny one’s own experiences is to put a lie into the lips of one’s life. It is no less than a denial of the soul.
5
The great events of one’s life often leave one unmoved: they pass out of consciousness, and, when one thinks of them, become unreal. Even the scarlet flowers of passion seem to grow in the same meadow as the poppies of oblivion. But the little things, the things of no moment, remain with us.
5
We live in the age of the overworked and the undereducated.
5
The secret of life is never to have an emotion that is unbecoming.
5
[Ejverybody who is incapable of learning has taken to teaching—that is really what our enthusiasm for education has come to.
5
Genius lasts longer than Beauty. That accounts for the fact that we all take such pains to overeducate ourselves.
5
Children have a natural antipathy to books— handicraft should be the basis of education. Boys and girls should be taught to use their hands to make something, and they would be less apt to destroy and be mischievous.
6
If you meet at dinner a man who has spent his life in educating himself...you rise from table richer, and conscious that a high ideal has for a moment touched and sanctifed your days. But oh! to sit next a man who spent his life in trying to educate others! What a dreadful experience that is! How appalling is that ignorance which is the inevitable result of the fatal habit of imparting opinions!
5
Dullness is the coming of age of seriousness.
6
Action is limited and relative. Unlimited and absolute is the vision of him who sits at ease and watches, who walks in loneliness and dreams.
3

Comments (0)

ShareOn Facebook WhatsApp X
Log in to post a comment.

NoComments

Identification and basic context

Oscar Wilde was an Irish poet, playwright, novelist, and critic. He is renowned for his sharp wit, flamboyant personality, and his advocacy of the aesthetic movement.

Childhood and education

Wilde was born into a prominent Anglo-Irish family. His father was a surgeon and his mother a poet and nationalist. He received a classical education at Trinity College, Dublin, and later at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he excelled in classical studies and developed his aesthetic theories.

Literary trajectory

Wilde's literary career began with poetry, notably his collection 'Poems' (1881). He gained significant fame as a playwright with works like 'The Importance of Being Earnest' and 'Salomé'. His novel 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (1890) also garnered attention. He was a prominent figure in the Aesthetic and Decadent movements.

Works, style, and literary characteristics

Wilde's most famous works include 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', 'The Importance of Being Earnest', 'An Ideal Husband', and 'A Woman of No Importance'. His style is characterized by epigrammatic wit, paradox, lyrical beauty, and a focus on aestheticism. Themes explored include beauty, art, morality, hypocrisy, and the duality of human nature. He often used satire to critique Victorian society.

Cultural and historical context

Wilde lived during the late Victorian era in Britain, a period of great industrial change, social reform, and imperial expansion, but also of strict social codes and moral hypocrisy. He was a prominent voice of the Aesthetic movement, which challenged the utilitarian and moralistic views of art prevalent at the time. He was a contemporary of writers like Algernon Charles Swinburne and Walter Pater.

Personal life

Wilde's personal life was marked by his marriage to Constance Lloyd, with whom he had two sons. He also had a notorious relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas, which ultimately led to his downfall. His flamboyant lifestyle and outspoken views on art and morality set him apart from conventional society.

Recognition and reception

Wilde achieved considerable fame during his lifetime, becoming a celebrated figure in London society. However, his trial for gross indecency in 1895 led to his imprisonment and public disgrace, severely damaging his reputation. Posthumously, his work has been re-evaluated, and he is now recognized as a major literary figure of the 19th century.

Influences and legacy

Wilde was influenced by Romantic poets and French Symbolists. His emphasis on beauty and art for art's sake, his wit, and his critique of social conventions have influenced numerous writers and artists. He is considered a key figure in the development of modern drama and aesthetic theory.

Interpretation and critical analysis

Wilde's work is often analyzed through the lens of aestheticism, dandyism, and his critique of Victorian morality. His life and work continue to be debated, particularly concerning his persecution and the relationship between art and life.

Curiosities and lesser-known aspects

Wilde famously declared, "I have put my genius into my life; I have put only my talent into my works." He was known for his elaborate dress and his love of paradox. His famous green carnation became a symbol of the aesthetic movement.

Death and memory

Oscar Wilde died in exile in Paris in 1900. His tomb in Père Lachaise Cemetery is a popular tourist destination. His literary and cultural significance has endured, and he remains a celebrated figure for his wit and artistic contributions.