Oscar Wilde and the Emergence of Literary Drama, 1880-95

Abstract: This chapter reflects on Wilde’s shifting preoccupations from c. 1880-1895 in the context of the radical changes in the concept of theatre during this period. It investigates the connection between his excitement about the archaeological objectivity of early Greek play performance, and his later satiric use of classical models in his society plays, especially The Importance of Being Earnest. I show how Wilde in this 1895 play successfully channels audience-centered dramaturgical models from ancient tragedy and comedy to a new literary dramatic purpose. Overall, the chapter offers an angle, via Wilde’s engagement with Greek drama and Shakespeare, on the key but often overlooked role played by the first performances of historic authentic dramatic texts in creating the conditions for the establishment of modern literary drama.

https://www.academia.edu/34943029/Wilde_and_the_emergence_of_literary_drama_1880_95