The Importance of Being Earnest is set in late Victorian England, a time of social reform and cultural renaissance. However, upper class society remained rigidly controlled by social codes of conduct that all were expected to conform to, treating the lower classes with disdain. The play satirizes these trivial upper class social standards and conventions through its comedy of manners plot involving love affairs and pursuing wealth with little effort. It both criticizes and upholds the ideals of the upper classes, reflecting their paradoxical nature. Original productions featured ultra-realistic sets and props to create an immersive world, with actors performing in a traditional fourth wall style.

1. Importance Of Being Earnest Essay
Theatre Studies: Cat One Draft
The Importance of Being Earnest is set in late Victorian England, a time of social reform. Society
was rediscovering art in its many forms yet as a consequence, The Upper class continued their
program of suppressed inferiority. The lower classes were treated with disdain and disgust and the
animosity between the groups was easily visible. Essentially, the late Victorian era was the beginning
of a mini cultural renaissance, yet Upper Class society, which forms the basis of the play was
rigidly controlled by a set of unwritten rules, a code of conduct as it may, in which all were
expected to conform with. This code referred to a number of things, including the way they ate,
dressed, and spoke. The 19th...show more content...
This satirical view is closely bound to the atmosphere of the time. The play itself deals itself with
a typical Comedy of Manners storyline, the trivial social standards, love affairs and the aim of
gaining the most money with the least effort. These subject matters are transfixed into a witty
dialogue of which is usually a focal point of Comedy of Manners material. The play criticizes and
upholds the Upper classes ideals at the same time. Oscar Wilde's satirical view of the Upper class is
a paradox in itself as he was part of it. The Importance of Being Earnest also supports elements of the
well–made play.
Original productions of The Importance of Being Earnest were staged in conventional theatres in the
confines of the Proscenium Arch. The actors performed in a fourth wall style, where essential the
Actor/Audience is non existent, and the actors play only to themselves, as if there is a wall
between them and the audience. The Importance of Being Earnest used the ideas of realism and
thrust them upon the stage. Ultra realistic props were used to create a world in which nothing seems
out of place. Scenery was so intricately painted that the world seems unbelievably real.
The Importance of Being Earnest has often being criticized for its emphasis on language, even to the
stage where it could best be presented with minimal or no actor movement whatsoever.
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