The Importance of Being Earnest

Melissa Long 04/18/07
Part 1:
I personally enjoy Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest much more than I enjoyed Taming of the Shrew because it is much easier to read. I find that when the plot is confounded with too many characters and too much going on (for example, exchanging identities as in Taming), it is much harder to follow and less enjoyable. The Importance of Being Earnest has just the right number of characters and is more modern in writing style so it is easier to comprehend. I found it to be a shame that the plot in Taming of the Shrew was interesting, but because the style was confusing I found it less enjoyable. The humor in The Importance of Being Earnest is much more vivid because I did not have to worry about what was going on, who was who, and what the characters were trying to say.
Part 2:
It was completely apparent in The Importance of Being Earnest that the characters’ senses of humor were very similar. They tended to use wit and off-the-wall comments to amuse the audience. It may be that these comments were born from the creative mind of Oscar Wilde himself in order to reflect his own personality and sense of humor. On the other hand, the humor that is clearly evident in The Importance of Being Earnest, in my opinion, was a creation of the author to bring out the personal quirks of each of the characters.
One of the best examples is when the audience first meets Lady Bracknell. Her conversation was with Algernon in which Algernon was excusing himself from dining with her that evening due to his friend Bunbury. She goes on to speak on her opinion regarding illnesses and those who frequently, or ever, become ill. The passage is ironic because she is bashing those who become sick or harp on illnesses. She even criticizes people who are sympathetic with those who become ill. The irony stems from the fact that everyone at some point in life becomes ill, yet, according to Lady Bracknell, it is unacceptable. The passage is humorous, while inviting the reader into the mind of the character. We find out that Lady Bracknell, depending on how the passage is read, is either very witty or is very disciplined. Either way, it is humorous to the audience, and it gives the audience an insight into her character.
Another example of how wit helps to develop the characters is in regards to the character of Algernon. From the first act, the reader finds out that Algernon is a wealthy man (probably overweight because he eats a lot) who seems to not do much besides travel and dine with friends and family. Yet, although his life is such that he could do whatever he pleases, he finds it necessary to make up an individual on which to blame reasons for his absence from social events, dinners, etc. One amusing scene with Algernon involves the imagery of him eating all of the cucumber sandwiches that have been ordered for his afternoon tea with Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen. When Bracknell asks Algernon where the food is, he responds by yelling at Lane in regards to where the sandwiches were. The reader can devise that his wit is quick, because instead of taking blame for his gluttony, he decided to blame Lane for not getting the sandwiches to begin with (which is obviously a lie). The imagery created with the stage direction of “picking up empty plate in horror” is humorous, especially with the addition of his verbal reaction. The audience may then see Algernon as witty, but also slick and smart.
The humor and wit that is exuded from each character in The Importance of Being Earnest serves to give an insight into their minds, actions, and personalities. Humor is not a distraction from the development of the plot, because humor, specifically which type of humor a character uses, only helps to develop the personality of the character. Therefore, through the use of wit, Oscar Wilde succeeds in developing each character along with their personalities and what the reader expects from them as individuals.

Blog 6: Taming of the Shrew

Melissa Long Blog 6
Part 1:
I personally do not like Taming of the Shrew. I find that Shakespeare is hard to understand. Also, in works of literature where there are many characters, it is hard to remember who everyone is (especially if they decide to pretend to be other people such as Hortensio and Lucentio). I enjoy the whit that Shakespeare can convey in his dramas, however, I feel I have to re-read most of the scenes in order to fully appreciate it.
Part 2:
In Act 2, Scene 1 Petruchio is finally able to meet his idolized love (Katharina), whom he has yet to meet. The banter they exchange is playfully romantic, yet is also dramatic and aggressive. Humor is generated though this portion of the scene because Pertuchio is so adamant about acquiring Katharina’s love. She is doubtful about his intentions (due to the lack of attention she usually receives) and is hesitant to respond. Instead, she argues with him, but the argument is playful and at times includes sexual innuendo (most often offered by Pertuchio). Although Katharina may not know it, Pertuchio is sincerely fond of her and has already made arrangements to marry her.
The scene between Pertuchio and Katharina begins with an internal dialogue by Pertuchio. He basically gives himself a pep-talk to pump up his self-esteem and prepare his wit for this girl he has heard so much about (all negative things). He must feel that he has to get ready for the war she is about to wage on his ego and esteem. Katharina begins the conversation with a guard up, reprimanding Pertuchio for mistaking her name. Pertuchio attempts to woo her with compliments and refuting the claims made by others against her. Katharina refuses to believe his sincerity and instead calls him a name, to which Pertuchio responds with a sexual comment. Katharina then equates Pertuchio to an ass that is difficult to deal with. Pertuchio returns with a comment on how she is a shrew. The witty banter continues on with talk about buzzards and wasps until Pertuchio makes another sexual comment and Katharina slaps him. They continue on mainly bickering and snipping at each other playfully, until Pertuchio asks Katharina to marry him. When her father returns, the wedding day is set (after Pertuchio refers to her as a shrew).
The humor generated from this conversation has a witty undertone, yet may seem abrasive. The characters are taking shots at each other, but the reader can tell by Pertuchio’s innuendo that the situation is light and playful. The subtext available to the reader is the sexual aspect. Pertuchio makes attempts throughout the entire conversation to match Katharina’s remarks, and in doing so, changes her perspective of him. Pertuchio reveals his intentions to marry her, and she refuses, yet it seems underneath her hard exterior she is flattered. Although the union is sudden, and Katharina still disagrees to the wedding, the reader believe that because of this conversation, they will fall in love and she will be converted from shrew to modest and virtuous.