It is set in England during the Victorian? era and its main source of humour is based upon the main character's (Algernon) fictional friend "Earnest", whom he uses to avoid various distasteful social obligations. Through the pretend friend "Earnest," Algernon is able to feign both piety and dedication - as "Earnest" is in ill health, of course - while avoiding any obligations he chooses, due to his unfailing dedication to his sick friend. He discloses the fictional friend to his real-life best friend, John, who then assumes the identity of "Earnest" in order to further his own agenda of love and romance. Alas, unbeknownst to John, Algernon has announced the tragic death of his friend, "Earnest," as the ruse begins to interfere with his own romantic quests. A hilarious series of comic misunderstandings follow, as John-as-Earnest visits the country (as a dead man, as far as the hosts are aware) and Algernon shows up in his mourning clothes. It is similar to William Shakespeare's [A Comedy of Errors]? and contains many examples of Wilde's famous wit.
|
![[Home]](wikipedia.png)