OR SHAW STEALING?
Perhaps all playwrights since Shakespeare have succumbed to the lure of influence—at least that seems to be the view of cynical Punch cartoonists. Above we see parallel depictions of the theatrical reliance: George Bernard Shaw resting on his inner bard and ditto Oscar Wilde additionally propped up by French literature.1
We all lean on our progenitors, admittedly—even Wilde was not averse to the occasional borrowing, although it was often from himself.
But what of Shaw?
Or, put another way: what of downright plagiarism by a playwright of accepted genius now that his fellow countryman is safely beyond the pale?
Below are two examples of lines and ideas that appeared in Wilde’s plays, which later “reappeared” in Shaw a decade later. I originally identified these similarities many years ago in the online repository for Wildeans known as Oscholars—and, as that treasury has now disappeared, the happenstance bears repeating as it is seldom noted.
example 1
Wilde
In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.
Lady Windermere’s Fan (1892)
Mr. Dumby, Act III
Shaw
There are two tragedies in life. One is to lose your heart’s desire. The other is to gain it.
Man and Superman (1903)
Mendoza, Act I
example 2
Wilde
I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being really good all the time.
The Importance of Being Earnest (1895)
Cecily, Act II
Shaw
I couldn’t forgive Andrew for preaching immorality while he practised morality.
Major Barbara (1905)
Lady Britomart, Act I
As somebody once said, too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence?
© John Cooper, 2024.
Footnote:
- SHAW CARTOON: E. T. Reed, ‘Design for a Statue of “John Bull’s Other Playwright”‘, (Punch magazine, October 3, 1906), 248.
WILDE CARTOON: Bernard Partridge , ‘Quite Too-Too Puffickly Precious!!,’ (Punch magazine, March 5, 1892), 113 ↩︎
And who’s to say that Wilde didn’t “borrow” from Whistler? Remember this exchange? After Whistler made a funny quip, Wilde supposedly said, “I wish I had said that,” to which Whistler, replied, “You will, Oscar, you will.”
Hi Laura—yes, of course, as I suggest, no one is immune. And you’re right, Wilde did borrow much from Whistler in his views on art (“the courage of the convictions, of others”), just as much of his early lectures in America were Ruskin recycled. But I thought the Shaw examples, especially the identical construction of the “two tragedies”, was egregious. Incidentally, the “you will Oscar’ remark has a fairly believable grounding, and I already have it slated for a future blog article.
Splendid! I look forward to it!
A coincidence outside the pale! As always, thanks.