In spring 1895, the three trials of Oscar Wilde took place at the Central Criminal Court, the so-called "Old Bailey" . In the last two of them Wilde was accused of indecency with other males and the last trial ended with a sentence to two years of prison with hard labour for Wilde. The trials and the following imprisonment had a devastating effect on his personal and professional future life. In this paper I want to provide a brief outline of the events.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Preceding events
- The Trials
- The First Trial, April 3 – 5, 1895
- The Second Trial, April 26 – May 1, 1895
- The Third Trial, May 20 – May 25, 1895
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to provide a concise overview of the events leading to and surrounding Oscar Wilde's trials in 1895. The paper focuses on the context of the trials, Wilde's relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas, and the legal proceedings themselves.
- The complex relationship between Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas
- The role of public opinion and scandal in the trials
- The impact of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885 on the legal proceedings
- The social and cultural context of homosexuality in Victorian England
- The legacy of the trials on Oscar Wilde's life and reputation
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the paper, introducing the three trials of Oscar Wilde at the Old Bailey in 1895. It briefly discusses the impact of the trials on Wilde's life and the paper's aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the events.
- Preceding Events: This chapter examines the events leading up to the trials, focusing on Wilde's relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas and the strained relationship between Douglas and his father, the Marquess of Queensberry. It discusses the public scandal that arose from Queensberry's accusation of Wilde's "indecency" and the events that ultimately led to the trials.
- The First Trial: This chapter details the first trial, which focused on Queensberry's libel charge against Wilde. It explores the key arguments presented by both sides, Wilde's cross-examination, and the reasons behind his withdrawal from the case. The chapter also discusses the implications of the trial for Wilde's future, as he was now the accused in charges of indecency.
- The Second Trial: This chapter recounts the second trial, which focused on the charges of indecency against Wilde and Alfred Taylor. It explores the testimony presented by witnesses, Wilde's defense, and the significance of the "Two Loves" poem in the trial. The chapter also discusses the social context of homosexuality in Victorian England and the impact of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885 on the legal proceedings.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main keywords and focus topics of this paper include Oscar Wilde, Lord Alfred Douglas, Marquess of Queensberry, The Trials of Oscar Wilde, Old Bailey, Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885, homosexuality, Victorian England, public scandal, and literary reputation.
- Quote paper
- Birgit Wilpers (Author), 2008, The Trials of Oscar Wilde, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/154831
