To what extent do you agree that the friendship between Algernon and Jack produces more humour than the relationship between Jack and Gwendolen?
Throughout the play Wilde uses many techniques to create comedy and produce different relationships throughout. In this essay I will discuss the ways in which Wilde creates a more comedic relationship between Algernon and Jack using varying techniques and dimensions such as mirroring their lives in contrast to Gwendolen and Jack's one dimensional relationship.
At the start of the play Wilde instantly introduces Algernon's and Jack's humorous relationship. Wilde displays it through their numerous conversations and allows the audience to gain an understanding that this relationship will be filled with many comedic events. When first introduced to their relationship Algernon is stating that he 'amuses other people' in the country but when questioned about how nice these neighbours are, he replies in an airily manner 'perfectly horrid! Never speak to one of them.'
Jack Bauer (24) checks the new iPhone for CTU
English: Still photograph from Act 1 of the origin...
Oscar Wilde in 1889This is an example of the technique contradictory, as Algernon stated that he amuses them but then never speaks to any of them. Comedy is produced in many ways within their close friendship such as the playfulness, the arguments and the way they present barriers in each other's lives. This is contrasted with the one dimensional relationship of Gwendolen and Jack whose relationship only produces the comedy of the name Ernest and the problems that arise with it.
When introduced to Gwendolen, the audience gains a very superficial idea of her and her relationship with Jack. The audience is instantly hit with their proposal with no build up and development of their relationship. This then doesn't allow the audience to really form any opinion on them as they are just thrown in at the their proposal, Wilde would have used this to present the...