The Importance of Being Earnest
by Oscar Wilde
English • First performed 1895 • Public Domain • Free to stream
The Importance of Being Earnest is widely considered the wittiest play in the English language. Written by Oscar Wilde and first performed in London on Valentine's Day 1895, it follows two young men — Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff — who have both invented fictional alter egos called "Ernest" to escape their social obligations. When their deceptions collide and their love interests both turn out to be romantically attached to the name Ernest, the result is a cascade of comic misunderstandings, sharp epigrams, and one of the great scenes in dramatic literature involving a handbag. Every line is quotable. Lady Bracknell's interrogation of Jack remains one of the funniest things ever written. Wilde called it "a trivial comedy for serious people" — which understates it considerably.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Importance of Being Earnest free to listen to?
Yes, completely free to stream. No account, no subscription, no ads. It is in the public domain.
Who wrote The Importance of Being Earnest?
The Importance of Being Earnest was written by Oscar Wilde. It first performed at the St James's Theatre in London on 14 February 1895, just months before Wilde's arrest and imprisonment.
Is The Importance of Being Earnest in the public domain?
Yes, The Importance of Being Earnest is in the public domain and free to read, share, and listen to worldwide.