Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900) was one of the most famous writers of the Victorian Age. He was primarily known as a playwright but also created a number of poems, stories and fairytales. Already during his studies at Oxford he developed a style in his art that would later make him the best-known writer of English aestheticism. For Wilde, however, aesthetic sense was more than a concept in art. He rather devoted his whole life to the perfection of beauty. He cultivated a flamboyant lifestyle, supported nonconformist views and had homoerotic tendencies, which made him a kind of media star. The attention directed towards him was often hostile because his attitudes contradicted mainstream Victorian values. These were marked by moral strictness and considerations of usefulness. Oscar Wilde, however, was a hedonist and an individualist. This contradiction and his persistence in defending his views brought him towards the end of his life even to court and to prison, which shows that his attitudes were more than pure provocation.
This assignment deals with the question how aestheticism is expressed in Wilde’s poems. It investigates where the Aesthetic Movement originated and what its principles were. Which theories about art influenced Oscar Wilde and how did he develop them further for his own purposes? What was in his social and artistic biographical background that could have had an impact on his attitudes?
How consequently did he follow his own principles that he often mentioned in his essays and articles? Is it possible to create a pure form of aestheticism and which difficulties occur while trying to do so?
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Aesthetic Influences on Oscar Wilde
- Oscar Wilde's Understanding of Art as Described in his Essays
- “Impression du Matin” and “Roses and Rue” as Examples of Aesthetic Poetry
- Summary
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to examine how aestheticism is expressed in Oscar Wilde's poems, specifically "Impression du Matin" and "Roses and Rue." It investigates the origins and principles of the Aesthetic Movement, the theoretical influences on Wilde's art, and the impact of his social and artistic background on his attitudes. The study also explores how consistently Wilde followed his own principles and the challenges of creating a pure form of aestheticism.
- Aestheticism in Oscar Wilde's poetry
- The influence of the Aesthetic Movement on Wilde's work
- Wilde's understanding of art and its relationship to society
- Analysis of "Impression du Matin" and "Roses and Rue"
- Challenges in achieving a pure form of aestheticism
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by introducing Oscar Wilde, his multifaceted career as a writer, and his significant contribution to English aestheticism. It highlights Wilde's flamboyant lifestyle and nonconformist views, which often clashed with Victorian societal norms. The chapter establishes the central research question: how is aestheticism expressed in Wilde's poems? It outlines the scope of the investigation, focusing on the poems "Impression du Matin" and "Roses and Rue," and identifies key sources, including Walter Pater's *The Renaissance* and Wilde's own essays, such as "The Soul of Man under Socialism" and "The Decay of Lying," to analyze Wilde's theoretical framework and artistic approach.
2. The Aesthetic Influences on Oscar Wilde: This chapter delves into the philosophy of aestheticism, defining its core principle of "art for art's sake" and its emphasis on the independent experience of beauty. It contrasts aestheticism with Victorian ideals, highlighting its rejection of moral, political, and commercial judgments of art. The chapter explores the movement's roots in eighteenth-century philosophy and its connection to Romanticism, while also acknowledging criticisms of aestheticism as immoral, decadent, and elitist. The discussion lays the groundwork for understanding the theoretical context within which Wilde's poetic works were created.
3. Oscar Wilde's Understanding of Art as Described in his Essays: This chapter examines Wilde's own articulation of his artistic philosophy, drawing on his essays to elucidate his views on art's function and purpose. It explores his perspective on the relationship between art, society, and morality, contrasting his ideas with prevailing Victorian notions. This analysis provides crucial context for interpreting the aesthetic principles manifested in his poems. The chapter further delves into Wilde's theories to uncover how his approach to art departs from and builds upon existing aesthetic thought.
4. “Impression du Matin” and “Roses and Rue” as Examples of Aesthetic Poetry: This chapter constitutes the core of the analysis, providing in-depth interpretations of Wilde's poems "Impression du Matin" and "Roses and Rue." It examines the specific ways in which aesthetic principles are embodied in these works, exploring their stylistic features, thematic concerns, and overall artistic impact. The chapter likely delves into the language, imagery, and structure of the poems to show how they exemplify Wilde's aesthetic philosophy.
Keywords
Aestheticism, Oscar Wilde, Victorian poetry, art for art's sake, "Impression du Matin," "Roses and Rue," Walter Pater, The Renaissance, beauty, hedonism, individualism, social commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Analysis of Aestheticism in Oscar Wilde's Poetry
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
This paper examines how aestheticism is expressed in Oscar Wilde's poems, specifically "Impression du Matin" and "Roses and Rue." It investigates the origins and principles of the Aesthetic Movement, Wilde's theoretical influences, and the impact of his background on his artistic attitudes. The study also explores how consistently Wilde followed his own principles and the challenges of creating a pure form of aestheticism.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include aestheticism in Oscar Wilde's poetry, the influence of the Aesthetic Movement on his work, Wilde's understanding of art's relationship to society, an in-depth analysis of "Impression du Matin" and "Roses and Rue," and the challenges in achieving a pure form of aestheticism.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into five chapters: an introduction setting the context and research question; a chapter exploring the aesthetic influences on Wilde; a chapter examining Wilde's own articulation of his artistic philosophy through his essays; a chapter providing in-depth interpretations of "Impression du Matin" and "Roses and Rue"; and a concluding summary.
What sources are used in the analysis?
Key sources include Walter Pater's *The Renaissance* and Wilde's own essays, such as "The Soul of Man under Socialism" and "The Decay of Lying," to analyze Wilde's theoretical framework and artistic approach. The poems "Impression du Matin" and "Roses and Rue" are central to the analysis.
How does the paper define aestheticism?
The paper defines aestheticism as the artistic principle of "art for art's sake," emphasizing the independent experience of beauty and rejecting moral, political, and commercial judgments of art. It contrasts aestheticism with Victorian ideals, highlighting its rejection of moral, political, and commercial judgments of art.
What is the significance of Wilde's essays in this analysis?
Wilde's essays are crucial for understanding his artistic philosophy. The paper uses his essays to elucidate his views on art's function and purpose, exploring his perspective on the relationship between art, society, and morality, and contrasting his ideas with prevailing Victorian notions. This analysis provides context for interpreting the aesthetic principles in his poems.
What is the role of "Impression du Matin" and "Roses and Rue" in the paper?
"Impression du Matin" and "Roses and Rue" are the focal points of the analysis. The paper provides in-depth interpretations of these poems, examining how aesthetic principles are embodied in their stylistic features, thematic concerns, and overall artistic impact. The analysis likely delves into the language, imagery, and structure of the poems to show how they exemplify Wilde's aesthetic philosophy.
What are the key takeaways from the paper?
The paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how aestheticism is manifested in Wilde's selected poems, situating his work within the broader context of the Aesthetic Movement and his own theoretical pronouncements. It highlights both the successes and challenges of adhering to the principle of "art for art's sake" in a Victorian social and artistic climate.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include Aestheticism, Oscar Wilde, Victorian poetry, art for art's sake, "Impression du Matin," "Roses and Rue," Walter Pater, The Renaissance, beauty, hedonism, individualism, and social commentary.
- Quote paper
- Stefan Zeuge (Author), 2006, The Aestheticism in Oscar Wilde’s Poems “Impression du Matin” and “Roses and Rue”, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/73517
