Oscar Wilde gave us the modern celebrity. Once we had Wilde and now we have The Kardashians.
The Irish born playwrite, novelist and poet introduces us to a world of beauty for the love of beauty alone in The Picture of Dorian Gray. He lived his life in the same manner. Reckless sexuality that strained his life and left him alone and in utter despair at the end of his days. He took what he wanted from others without concern for the future or morality.
He spent his last days living in the L'Hotel in Paris and wandering the streets alone. He said, "He would die beyond his means."
I discovered Wilde in a Jimmy Buffett song many years ago. The lyric goes,
"Oscar Wilde died in bed,
several floors above my head.
Living well beyond his means,
in that crazy Paris scene.
Rain falls down in sheets so clear,
and no one ever calls me here.
Traveling by myself these days,
I'm into jazz and felt berets."
This simple lyric peaked my interest in Wilde.
His writings and life are revealing, and the impact on our society are unquestionably troubling.
I am a fan of Oscar Wilde for this reason: He lived his life as he preached it, no matter how much I disagree with his view and actions. His writings were effective and can be admired for this reason as well.
“I'm a man of simple tastes. I'm always satisfied with the best.”
― Oscar Wilde
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