The importance of being called Ernesto.
The importance of being called Ernesto it was the last comedy created by the Irish-born poet, writer and playwright, Oscar Wilde. Completed in 1895, it is considered a true masterpiece. Its staging was on February 14 of that same year, at the St. James Theater in London.
Three months after the premiere, Wilde was put in prison after suing the father of his male lover, Alfred Douglas, for slander by calling him a "sodomite." But the evidence against him was overwhelming and the writer was sentenced to two years of forced labor. Upon his release from prison, Wilde left for France, where he died in an eviction situation.
Biographical profile
Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde He was originally from Ireland. He was born in Dublin on October 16, 1854. His parents were William and Jane Wilde, both great intellectuals of the time. Today, he is considered one of the most prominent playwrights of the XNUMXth century, during the late Victorian era in London.
He stood out for his marked intelligence. His ease of adjusting to circumstances allowed him to become a celebrity among the highest social circles in the city. Although he developed as a beautician, he ended up converted to Catholicism of his own accord. According to him, hedonism marked him for life. This he made known in a letter he wrote -De Profundis—.
The importance of being called Ernesto
The plot centers on a young man named Jack Worthing and the ill-fated relationship with his (fictional) brother Ernesto. This work uses the delight of the double meaning of English vocabulary to poke fun at society. For starters, the title in English -The Importance of Being Earnest- is already hilarious by itself. Why? Simple: the word "Earnest" refers to both the name Ernesto and the word seriousness.
Therefore, The importance of being serious it could be an equally valid translation. On the other hand, in English the name "Ernest" sounds the same as the word earnest, which means sensible. Therefore, it is assumed from the point of view of honesty and frankness.
Oscar Wilde.
Other valid translations of the title
A common form of translation used in order to keep the original pun is by changing the name of the protagonist. For example: The importance of being severe (It can also be honest or frank). In Catalan, as an interesting fact, they have changed Ernesto's name to “Frank”. With this, it became a homonym of the word "franc" (frank).
Banal comedy for very serious people
Jack Worthing is a young man ignorant of his own history. His adoptive parents got him in a suitcase - abandoned - when he was a baby. From them he inherited a country house where he is guardian of the orphan Cecily Cardew. In order to escape the seriousness of this job, Jack invents a crazy brother named Ernesto (London resident).
EThen, and as an excellent excuse, Jack is "forced" to travel weekly. This with the necessary interest to help his brother from his "follies." To prevent gossip about Ernesto's life from dirtying Jack's reputation, he assumes Ernesto's identity on London land. Jack and Ernesto are the same person, but they have two diametrically different personalities — and lives —.
Ernesto and Algernon
Jack is a shy, stern and God fearing man. Instead, Ernesto is a charming man, wanting to enjoy life. His best friend (and worst enemy at the same time) is Algernon "Algy" Moncrieff. He himself has a cousin with whom Jack, under the name Ernesto, has fallen in love. To such an extent that he has sworn to marry and decides to tell Algy the whole truth.
"Bunbureando"
When Jack clarifies the events to Moncrieff, the latter takes the opportunity to reveal the existence of a false friend named Bunbury. It is about a poor, very sick man living in the countryside. There, Algy takes refuge when he wishes to escape tedious dinners with his aunt and with his cousin (with whom Jack is in love).
The cynical gentleman calls this activity "Bunburear." In addition, the existence of Bunbury induces in Jack the decision to return to the field, kill the fictional brother and assume the name. However, upon arriving home — after speaking with Cecily's governess and the reverend — with the news of his death, he learns that Algy is now Ernesto Worthing.
Oscar Wilde quote.
Love and its eccentricities ...
While young Jack is in the room, Algernon Moncrieff is with young Cecily. He introduces himself as the giddy brother Ernesto, then declares his love for Cecily and the orphan accepts him. Actually, from the moment she found out about their existence in London, they had a fantasy relationship.
Letters, flowers, dedications, fights and reconciliations, everything necessary to demonstrate the existence of a real relationship (?). The lover accepts every aspect and apologizes for the wrongs committed in his ignorance. At this point, Algernon also decides to baptize himself with the name Ernesto.
Miss Prism's Secret
Comedy reaches its most sublime point when the lovers of the false Ernestos meet ... there was love, hate and brotherhood in a matter of minutes. The whole truth comes out, Algernon Moncrieff and Jack Worthing assume their real names, at least for a few moments. It is in the midst of this mess that Jack's true story is finally discovered.
An unexpected outcome
The suitcase in which Jack was left turned out to belong to Cecily's governess, Miss Prism. Who, when he lost her (with the child inside) was working for Algernon's father. The infant had been baptized as Ernesto Moncrieff, Algernon Moncrieff's older brother, better known as Jack Worthing.
The work is divided into three or four acts (according to the publisher); but regardless of the number of acts, it shows the genius of the author. Its last two paragraphs are the perfect satirical closing for the situation (and society). When clarifying his origin, Ernesto apologizes to his beloved for having lived a life free of lies without knowing it, she forgives him by asking "that it not be repeated."