Oscar Wilde, página 26 de 82

Tr.: Albert Savine

A la fin du XIXe siècle, le mythe de Salomé suscite chez les artistes une fascination a nulle autre pareille : la princesse de Judée, qui incarne la femme "naturelle, c'est-a-dire abominable" selon le mot de Baudelaire, devient une figure majeure de l'imaginaire décadent, inspirant indifféremment peintres, poètes et romanciers. De cette danseuse fatale,Wilde donna dans Salomé (1893) l'une des interprétations les plus marquantes de l'histoire de la littérature. La tension croissante de ce drame en un acte traduit la montée du désir monstrueux de Salomé, la fille d'Hérodias, pour le prophète Iokanaan. Cruauté, sacrilège, étrangeté et érotisme se mêlent dans cette pièce dont Mallarmé salua les "perpétuels traits éblouissants", et dont Pierre Loti a pu dire : "C'est beau et sombre comme un chapitre de l'Apocalypse."

SALOME (FRA)

"El retrato de Dorian Gray es una novela representativa de la decadencia humana, de llegar a alcanzar el triunfo sin importar los medios y las formas de la pasión olvidándose de los demás. Sin embargo, todos los seres humanos poseemos un alma y una conciencia. ¿Que ocurriria si esta pudiera mostrarse por medio de una pintura o transformando la fisonomia a medida que la carcoma del mal se haga presente en el cuerpo?Obra original en la que esta basada la pelicula del mismo nombre, llevada al cine por Oliver Parker, con la interpretacion de Ben Barnes y Colin Firth."

The Happy Prince is a fairy story, written for children, from the pen of one of the 19th Centurys most regarded writers. It tells the story of a lovelorn swallow, trying to follow his friends to Egypt for the winter. However, he tires and decides to land at the foot of a statue, in a large city. Slowly, he befriends the statue of the Happy Prince, who may not be quite as happy as he seems. A tender and tragic tale, The Happy Prince is beautifully written and deservedly takes up the title of a timeless classic. Perfect for readers of all ages.

The Duchess of Padua is a five-act play, originally written for American actress, Mary Anderson (best known for her role in Gone with the Wind). With themes of murder, suicide, love, and revenge, it has drawn comparisons with Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet. The story follows Guido Ferranti, who is tasked to murder the Duke of Padua and avenge his dead father. However, when Guido falls in love with the Duchess of Padua, he is conflicted. Can the Duchess help or hinder him in his mission? A lyrical play, written in blank verse, this is one of Wildes most intricate, full of twists and turns, and trademark Wildean wit.

In "The Journalism of Oscar Wilde," readers are invited into the vibrant world of one of the most celebrated literary figures of the late 19th century. This collection showcases Wildes sharp wit and profound insights, articulated through a variety of journalistic genres, from critiques of art and culture to reflections on society and its moral dilemmas. Employing a distinctive literary style characterized by epigrammatic brevity and flamboyant prose, Wilde navigates the complexities of Victorian society, intertwining aestheticism with biting social commentary. The essays reveal not only Wildes masterful command of language but also his deep engagement with the pressing issues of his time, such as class disparity and the nature of beauty. Oscar Wilde, born in 1854 in Dublin, was a central figure in the Aesthetic Movement, advocating for art for arts sake. His diverse experiences, from his classical education at Trinity College Dublin to his flamboyant reputation in Londons elite circles, undoubtedly shaped his perspective on art and society. These influences culminated in his journalistic endeavor, allowing him to challenge the moralistic conventions of his day while advocating for artistic freedom and personal expression. This anthology is highly recommended for those interested in the intersections between literature, journalism, and social critique. Wildes journalism offers an essential glimpse into the thoughts of a master provocateur, providing contemporary readers with a lens to understand not only his own tumultuous era but also our own. Whether youre a scholar of Wilde or a curious newcomer, this collection is a testament to his brilliance and an invigorating exploration of the power of words.

My own business always bores me to death; I prefer other people's' Lady Windermere has a happy marriage - or, at least, that's what she believes until one of London society's gossips, the Duchess of Berwick, arrives with her daughter to voice her suspicions about an affair Lord Windermere appears to be having. It's not just the Duchess who has evidence, however. Windermere's private bank book shows that he's been giving large sums of money to a 'Mrs Erlynne' - on frequent occasions - and he himself even admits to seeing much of the woman. To add insult to injury, Windermere insists that Mrs Erlynne is invited to the ball that is being held for Lady Windermere's birthday. Employing the witty dialogue, social satire and outrageous paradox for which he is still remembered, Wilde's play shows us the destructiveness of gossip and superficial judgement, examines the ambiguous sexual morality and gender politics at the heart of the British ruling class, while simultaneously challenging our perceptions of what constitutes a 'good woman'. This student edition contains a fully annotated version of the playtext. The introduction includes an account of Wilde's life and a detailed analysis of Lady Windermere's Fan as well as its stage history. Ian Small is Professor of English Literature at the University of Birmingham. He is the author of a number of critical studies on Wilde and has edited several of Wilde's works, including a scholarly edition of Wilde's second society comedy, A Woman of No Importance, also published in the New Mermaids series.

Illus.: Wallace Goldsmith

Essential collection of Oscar Wilde's best plays: Lady Windermere's Fan, A Woman of No Importance, The Importance of Being Earnest, Salome and an Ideal Husband. "Between 1892 and 1895, Oscar Wilde's drawing-room comedies Lady Windermere's Fan, A Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband and The Importance of Being Earnest made his name as a playwright who fearlessly mocked the hypocrisy and snobbery of Victorian society and took gleeful delight in appearing to trivialize its most sacred institutions. With its premiere on Valentine's Day 1895, The Importance of Being Earnest - a hilarious comedy of mistaken identities and coruscating language - was a phenomenal success, but its run was cut short prematurely by Wilde's court case and subsequent incarceration, and the play was not published until 1899, after Wilde had been released from prison. Also including the powerful Salome, originally written in French and banned by the British censor, this collection displays Wilde at his provocative and witty best, and demonstrates why he was a playwright who delighted audiences and infuriated critics in equal measure

A pantasma de Canterville, que lle dá título o volume é, amais dunha historia de pantasmas, un intelixente estudio de carácter de cada un dos membros dunha familia norteamericana e das súas reaccións ante as aparicions nocturnas do espectro de Sir Simon de Canterville.Os outros contos estan tinxidos dun fondo lirismo do que agroma unha promesa de esperanza e de solidariedade entre os homes.

El gigante egoísta detesta el invierno ¿Quieres ayudarle a descubrir la felicidad?

In the wealthy and vain hedonist Dorian Gray, London painter Basil Hallward has found his muse. Only when the portrait of Dorian begins to age, while the man himself remains untouched by time, do they realize they may have made a deal with the devil.Oscar Wildes only novel takes a witty, philosophical, and harrowing look at our obsession with youth and the price we pay for it.

Nous perçumes le bruit cadencé de pas de danseurs; nous suivîmes, en flanant, la rue éclairée par la lune et nous arrêtâmes devant la maison de la Courtisane.De lintérieur, à travers le tumulte, le d