Critics of the play refer to Wilde's "mastery of epigram and the audacity and polish of his wit". Illustrate this mastery using examples which you have enjoyed from the play. Proposal for opening: According to Collins English Dictionary wit is "the talent or quality of using unexpected associations between contrasting or disparate words or ideas to make a clever humorous effect", it is more intellectual than straightforward humour which can include slapstick. An epigram is "…showed first 75 words of 2049 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2049 total…my life." (Contradiction - all my life and not too long) III.104.477 Jack: "... it is a terrible thing for a man to find out suddenly that all his life he has been speaking nothing but the truth. Can you forgive me?" (Shouldn't he beg forgiveness for telling lies, not the truth?) Conclusion: Hopefully, from these examples the critics view of Wilde's "mastery of epigram and the audacity and polish of his wit" have been proven.