The Happy Prince And Other Tales

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) was an Irish playwright, poet, and novelist known for his sharp wit, flamboyant style, and social criticism. He was one of the most famous writers of the Victorian era, producing works that explored themes of aesthetics, morality, and the duality of human nature.

Notable Works:

• The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) – His only novel is about a man who remains young while his portrait ages, exploring themes of vanity, morality, and corruption.
• The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) – A satirical comedy of manners that critiques Victorian social norms and hypocrisy.
• Salomé (1891) – A controversial play, originally written in French, about power, desire, and destruction.
• Lady Windermere’s Fan (1892), A Woman of No Importance (1893), An Ideal Husband (1895) – His famous social comedies, filled with witty dialogue and social critique.

Famous Quotes:

• “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
• “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
• “I can resist everything except temptation.”

Personal Life & Tragic End:

Wilde was a leading figure in the Aesthetic Movement, which promoted “art for art’s sake.” However, his career collapsed after he was imprisoned in 1895 for his relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas. He spent two years in prison, during which he wrote De Profundis, a reflective letter on his suffering.

After his release, he lived in exile in France, where he died in 1900 at the age of 46. Despite his tragic end, Wilde’s works remain timeless classics, celebrated for their humor, insight, and critique of society.