Final answer:
The given statement, "THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST was written when Wilde was in a court battle to save his reputation against charges of homosexuality," is false (F) because The Importance of Being Earnest" was written before Wilde's court battle and the charges of homosexuality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Although Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest" premiered in 1895, Wilde's legal battles regarding his sexuality and the subsequent imprisonment occurred in 1895-1897 after he sued the Marquess of Queensberry for libel due to accusations about his homosexuality.
During the time of writing "The Importance of Being Earnest," Wilde hadn't faced the legal troubles or public scandal related to his sexuality. The play's composition primarily coincided with a period of success in Wilde's career and personal life before his public downfall.
The play satirizes Victorian society's conventions and explores themes of identity and social expectations through its witty dialogue and farcical situations. Wilde's legal battles ensued after the play's premiere, leading to his eventual imprisonment for "gross indecency."
Therefore, while "The Importance of Being Earnest" is a significant work in Wilde's repertoire, it predates the legal issues and scandal surrounding his sexuality.
Correct Answer: False (F)
Complete question:
- THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST was written when Wilde was in a court battle to save his reputation against charges of homosexuality. T/F?