The Importance of Being Earnest - Act 1
The Importance of Being Ernest – Act 1
Task 1
How are the characters of Algernon and Jack/Ernest created for the audience?
They are presented to within a high class of society, with a lack of consideration or care for the lower classes. Both are bored by their high society lives and “stiff” lunches/meetings that they must attend, so have created alter egos which they use to have fun in a different place. Algernon has invented a sick friend called Bunbury, who he sometimes must spend long lengths of time “looking after”, and when in the country, Jack becomes Ernest.
What is the effect of the interchange between Algernon and Lane?
It sets the scene in terms of the large difference in classes. Algernon feels that as a lower class, Lane should “set an example”, suggesting he very much feels it is Lane’s responsibility to look after him. Lane addresses Algernon as “Sir”, showing the formality within the household. Lane sees his purpose as to serve Algernon, and regards his own personal life as “not a very interesting subject”. The effect of the interchange is it reveals a lot about Algernon’s character – showing he is very much living in an upper class world and has barely any dealings with the “real world”. It also sets the scene for the comedy between Lane and Algernon.
Examples of different types of humour and how they work
Algernon: “Anyone can play accurately – but I play with wonderful expression”. – This is following Aristotle’s theory that comedy is laughing at those less fortunate than you. Algernon does not realise the ridiculousness of the statement, as he is not used to people correcting him or telling him what he is saying is wrong. It is funny for the audience, because they understand how ridiculous what he is saying is, and it is comic that he doesn’t understand it for himself and feels he is making a proud, intelligent statement.
Lane: “I didn’t feel it polite to listen, Sir.” – This is comic because it contradicts with when Algernon then asks Lane
Task 1
How are the characters of Algernon and Jack/Ernest created for the audience?
They are presented to within a high class of society, with a lack of consideration or care for the lower classes. Both are bored by their high society lives and “stiff” lunches/meetings that they must attend, so have created alter egos which they use to have fun in a different place. Algernon has invented a sick friend called Bunbury, who he sometimes must spend long lengths of time “looking after”, and when in the country, Jack becomes Ernest.
What is the effect of the interchange between Algernon and Lane?
It sets the scene in terms of the large difference in classes. Algernon feels that as a lower class, Lane should “set an example”, suggesting he very much feels it is Lane’s responsibility to look after him. Lane addresses Algernon as “Sir”, showing the formality within the household. Lane sees his purpose as to serve Algernon, and regards his own personal life as “not a very interesting subject”. The effect of the interchange is it reveals a lot about Algernon’s character – showing he is very much living in an upper class world and has barely any dealings with the “real world”. It also sets the scene for the comedy between Lane and Algernon.
Examples of different types of humour and how they work
Algernon: “Anyone can play accurately – but I play with wonderful expression”. – This is following Aristotle’s theory that comedy is laughing at those less fortunate than you. Algernon does not realise the ridiculousness of the statement, as he is not used to people correcting him or telling him what he is saying is wrong. It is funny for the audience, because they understand how ridiculous what he is saying is, and it is comic that he doesn’t understand it for himself and feels he is making a proud, intelligent statement.
Lane: “I didn’t feel it polite to listen, Sir.” – This is comic because it contradicts with when Algernon then asks Lane