Wildean Wit

spiderlegs

Would someone please be able to explain to me what exactly an aspect of Wildean wit is?? I have to do it as part of an essay and I know and understand what wit is but I can't just really write it down or describe it on paper. That and the fact that I don't really get Wildean wit..is it different to other forms of wit?? Is it just more of an intellectual, use of puns kinda wit??
Any suggestions would be appreciated muchly.Thankin' you all!!

Thomas_S_Hunterson

I assume it relates to the brilliant humour of the great Oscar Wilde. You might want to have a read of The Importance Of Being Earnest and some more of his works, and have a look at some of his quotes on the net

spiderlegs

Oh I have !! I watched the film, and everything I'm just finding it hard to describe exactly how he was witty.:o

Thomas_S_Hunterson

Have another read of it, personally, when i read the play, i found it hilarious.
Have a look at the cultural context, and how unacceptable the concept of having a bit on the side would be, how totally alien is the whole concept of Bunberrying

spiderlegs

Ok thank you. I will, but does that mean that Algernon and his "bunburyist" ways were witty? Was he witty by going against the victorian times and giving his characters alter egos?

Crucifix

Isn't Wildean wit when you insult some arty type, but pretend it's a quote from Oscar Wilde so they're impressed instead of annoyed?
:v:

Thomas_S_Hunterson

And you need to look at it with an open mind, don't go looking for laugh out loud moments, as there are few, Look for humour in context, the juxtaposition of the old school stiff upper lip tradition and the anarchic way that algernon and jack act

And here, this may help http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Importance_of_Being_Earnest

spiderlegs

Ok thankin' you muchly for your help!

SHAKESPEARE_SIS

"That and the fact that I don't really get Wildean wit.."

When you say you don't get it, you mean you don't think its funny?
From your sig i expect your a Morrissey fan, i'd say wildean wit is really in the same vein - its dark and cutting with lots of clever word play. There's a few categories that immediately spring to mind,

Combine play on words with mock (ironic) self deprecation

- I can resist everything except temptation
- dying remark (the wallpaper in here is awful..) one of us will have to go
- Alas, I am dying beyond my means.
- Biography lends to death a new terror.
- One thing worse than talked about - not being talked about

Combine caustic social commentary with play on words

- Cynic: Price of everything, value of nothing
- by giving the opinions of the uneducated, journalism keeps us in touch with the ignorance of the community
- democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people

Combine play on words with outrageous arrogance

- I have nothing to declare but my genius
- Bernard Shaw hasn't become prominent enough to have enemies, but none of his friends like him.
- I never travel without my diary - one should always have something sensational to read in the train

Thomas_S_Hunterson

spiderlegs wrote:

Ok thank you. I will, but does that mean that Algernon and his "bunburyist" ways were witty? Was he witty by going against the victorian times and giving his characters alter egos?

Yes, think of his ways in context.this was a time when sex was rare outside of marriage and where old school etiquette reigned supreme.

spiderlegs

SHAKESPEARE_SIS wrote:

"That and the fact that I don't really get Wildean wit.."

When you say you don't get it, you mean you don't think its funny?[ QUOTE]

No, no I meant I was finding it hard to describe...I understand how its funny cause it made me laugh but I was just finding it hard to describe how it was funny!
I think I get it now though so thank you everyone...yis were very nice!

Thomas_S_Hunterson

spiderlegs wrote:

SHAKESPEARE_SIS wrote:

...yis were very nice!

Agh!!!!!!!1