In the passage from Act II “The Importance of Being Ernest” by Oscar Wilde, Wilde uses many sources of humor to show the comical way in which Ernest and Cecily meet for the very first time. Starting with a confusing engagement and ending with a phony name, this encounter took a different turn than expected as it developed.
The first source of humor used in “The Importance of Being Ernest” is when Cecily has announced to Ernest, also known as Algernon, that they are engaged. Ernest has never met Cecily but for her, they have been together and broken up and been back together. “Darling! And when was the engagement actually settled? Cecily: On the 14th of February last.” The humor starts when Algernon is confused by the news he gets from Cecily that they have already gotten engaged, but for him is actually the first time they meet. This part is pretty awkward for him because he cannot believe what he just heard. It also creates humor to the reader because you can imagine the confusion Algernon is going through at the moment. It is also quite humorous when Algernon has to ask Cecily when all of this engagement planning has taken place. …show more content…
Cecily has been keeping letters she has been getting from Ernest. “And this is the box in which I keep all your dear letters.” The humor again begins with Algernon being confused. “My letters! But, my own sweet Cecily, I have never written you any letters.” This is comic because Cecily is the one that has been sending herself the letters, but marked by the name of Ernest. This is comical because she does really like “Ernest” which she has not seen nor met but has heard his name in various conversations so she figured out he might be attractive since they talk so much about him. This leads her to get engaged with him even though she does not know his true
The first source of humor used in “The Importance of Being Ernest” is when Cecily has announced to Ernest, also known as Algernon, that they are engaged. Ernest has never met Cecily but for her, they have been together and broken up and been back together. “Darling! And when was the engagement actually settled? Cecily: On the 14th of February last.” The humor starts when Algernon is confused by the news he gets from Cecily that they have already gotten engaged, but for him is actually the first time they meet. This part is pretty awkward for him because he cannot believe what he just heard. It also creates humor to the reader because you can imagine the confusion Algernon is going through at the moment. It is also quite humorous when Algernon has to ask Cecily when all of this engagement planning has taken place. …show more content…
Cecily has been keeping letters she has been getting from Ernest. “And this is the box in which I keep all your dear letters.” The humor again begins with Algernon being confused. “My letters! But, my own sweet Cecily, I have never written you any letters.” This is comic because Cecily is the one that has been sending herself the letters, but marked by the name of Ernest. This is comical because she does really like “Ernest” which she has not seen nor met but has heard his name in various conversations so she figured out he might be attractive since they talk so much about him. This leads her to get engaged with him even though she does not know his true