After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal Oscar Wilde's Very Victorian Scandal
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Dec 15, 2025 
Merlin Holland, Oscar Wilde's grandson and a biographer, delves into the tumultuous life of the iconic playwright during his infamous 1895 trial for 'Gross Indecency'. He shares insights about Wilde's Irish roots and influential upbringing, his marriage to Constance, and the scandal involving Alfred Douglas (Bosie) and the Marquess of Queensberry. Holland vividly recounts the brutal legal battles, Wilde's imprisonment, and the profound impact of his work, including 'Dorian Gray'. This thought-provoking discussion sheds light on Wilde's complex legacy and lasting societal influence.
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Aestheticism: Life As An Artistic Project
- The aesthetic movement prized living for beauty and cultivated an enigmatic public persona.
- Merlin cites Wilde's line to Whistler: 'To be great is to be misunderstood.'
Marriage Was Real, Not Just A Cover
- Wilde married Constance for love and dedicated a major book to her despite later relationships with men.
- Merlin Holland stresses the complexity: Wilde was both a devoted husband and a man with homosexual tendencies.
The Calling Card That Sparked The Trials
- The confrontation with the Marquess of Queensberry began with a calling card accusing Wilde of "posing somdomite."
- That provocation, and Bosie's influence, led Wilde to sue for libel, setting off the trials.
