Exploration of Act 1 in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’
1. How does mistaken identity create humor in Act 1?
Mistaken identity creates humor as it stems from dramatic irony, as the audience is always aware of
Ernest lying about his identity and Algernon’s Banburyist. This creates humor in finding the comedy of
the confusion and ignorance of the other characters, the dramatic irony stemmed from the fake identity
most put up in Victorian England to be accepted by society. A modern audience would find humor from
the idea of hiding your true self, as in a contemporary society that is seen less to be accepted.
2. In what ways does Algernon’s ‘Banburying’ add comedic value to Act 1?
Algernon is a mischievous character, and his alternate identity is used for different ideas than Jack.
Algernon is using ‘Banbury’ to get out of certain plans- such as Algernon lying to Lady Bracknell to get
out of her dinner. Therefore, the comedy is found from the ideals of Algernon and the mischievous
nature, as it is also common to lie to get out of plans. Therefore, the audience is also laughing at
themselves, which is Wilde’s aim for the play. This is still effective for a modern audience.
3. How does the character of Lady Bracknell contribute to the comedic tone of Act 1?
Lady Bracknell’s character is named after Bosie’s mother; therefore, the character is deemed to be a
mocking of her and many other upper-class older women. Lady Bracknell insults Jack continuously, and
her comedy is created from the satirical mocking. Lady Bracknell is shown ironically through Algernon’s
eyes, who views her as a pleasant relative who he also avoids spending time with. She antagonizes
characters in the play, such as Jack with his desire to marry Gwendolen. Lady Bracknell highlights the
hypocrisy of society- which is still prevalent today. Overall, Wilde uses Lady Bracknell to satirize society.
The comedic tone is set through Wilde’s mocking of society, which the audience can relate to from a
modern or historical understanding.
4. What role does wit and clever wordplay play in generating humor in this act?
In the Importance of Being Earnest, wordplay and wit are used to create humorous situations. These
expose contradictory ideas present in Victorian society which the modern audience will also find humor
based on societies still contradictory expectations. An example of this is “I, or your father, should his
health permit him, will inform you of the fact” regarding Lady Bracknell’s opinion on Gwendolen’s
engagement to Ernest. This shows the Victorian pressure on marriage while simultaneously disallowing
love for a ‘perfect match’.
5. How does the setting of Algernon’s flat contribute to the comedic atmosphere?
Within Algernon’s flat, comedy of manners is showcased throughout the description of the
surroundings. Such as, “Half-Moon Street” which already through the beginning stage-directions creates
an expectation of expense and upper-class as it seems like a wealthy place to live in West-End London.
Furthermore, the flat is described as “luxuriously and artistically finished”, showing to the audience
through set and readers through description that the play centers around upper-class and centers
around the Aesthetic movement. The comedy is found through the knowledge that within his house he
has a piano which he plays but not because of talent because he ‘plays with wonderful expression’.
Pointing out Victorians idea of appearance exceeding talent and intelligence.
1. How does mistaken identity create humor in Act 1?
Mistaken identity creates humor as it stems from dramatic irony, as the audience is always aware of
Ernest lying about his identity and Algernon’s Banburyist. This creates humor in finding the comedy of
the confusion and ignorance of the other characters, the dramatic irony stemmed from the fake identity
most put up in Victorian England to be accepted by society. A modern audience would find humor from
the idea of hiding your true self, as in a contemporary society that is seen less to be accepted.
2. In what ways does Algernon’s ‘Banburying’ add comedic value to Act 1?
Algernon is a mischievous character, and his alternate identity is used for different ideas than Jack.
Algernon is using ‘Banbury’ to get out of certain plans- such as Algernon lying to Lady Bracknell to get
out of her dinner. Therefore, the comedy is found from the ideals of Algernon and the mischievous
nature, as it is also common to lie to get out of plans. Therefore, the audience is also laughing at
themselves, which is Wilde’s aim for the play. This is still effective for a modern audience.
3. How does the character of Lady Bracknell contribute to the comedic tone of Act 1?
Lady Bracknell’s character is named after Bosie’s mother; therefore, the character is deemed to be a
mocking of her and many other upper-class older women. Lady Bracknell insults Jack continuously, and
her comedy is created from the satirical mocking. Lady Bracknell is shown ironically through Algernon’s
eyes, who views her as a pleasant relative who he also avoids spending time with. She antagonizes
characters in the play, such as Jack with his desire to marry Gwendolen. Lady Bracknell highlights the
hypocrisy of society- which is still prevalent today. Overall, Wilde uses Lady Bracknell to satirize society.
The comedic tone is set through Wilde’s mocking of society, which the audience can relate to from a
modern or historical understanding.
4. What role does wit and clever wordplay play in generating humor in this act?
In the Importance of Being Earnest, wordplay and wit are used to create humorous situations. These
expose contradictory ideas present in Victorian society which the modern audience will also find humor
based on societies still contradictory expectations. An example of this is “I, or your father, should his
health permit him, will inform you of the fact” regarding Lady Bracknell’s opinion on Gwendolen’s
engagement to Ernest. This shows the Victorian pressure on marriage while simultaneously disallowing
love for a ‘perfect match’.
5. How does the setting of Algernon’s flat contribute to the comedic atmosphere?
Within Algernon’s flat, comedy of manners is showcased throughout the description of the
surroundings. Such as, “Half-Moon Street” which already through the beginning stage-directions creates
an expectation of expense and upper-class as it seems like a wealthy place to live in West-End London.
Furthermore, the flat is described as “luxuriously and artistically finished”, showing to the audience
through set and readers through description that the play centers around upper-class and centers
around the Aesthetic movement. The comedy is found through the knowledge that within his house he
has a piano which he plays but not because of talent because he ‘plays with wonderful expression’.
Pointing out Victorians idea of appearance exceeding talent and intelligence.
