Poems+By+Oscar+Wilde

=**//Poems// By Oscar Wilde**=
 * (UVic Library PR58141903a)**

Copy 111 of 250 printed in Paris 1903
 * Pirated** **copy; original text was printed in 1881**



Since the text is a pirated copy the printer's name is not given, however, scholars have found evidence that [|Leonard Smither's] printed these illegal editions after Wilde's death.

Leonard [|Smithers] (1861-1907) was a publisher in London. "Smithers once said, "I'll publish anything that the others are afraid of", Smithers had an interest in elaborate and illustrated texts (Nelson). Wilde and Smithers started working together frequently after Wildes arrest in 1895. It seems that the rights of two plays were given to him by Wilde "A woman of no importance" and "Lady Windermere's Fan"(Nelson). Smithers was known for publishing unusual, and seemingly racy works which is how he established a relationship with many writers especially Wilde. Wilde and Smithers had a [|complicated relationship] it seems that even though these two appreciated each other's work they would fight about payments. They worked together for years but by the end of Wilde's life, their relationship had deteriorated. In the 1900's Smithers declared bankruptcy. After Wilde's death, Smithers started printing and selling pirated copies of many of Wilde's plays and poems to make ends meet. Smithers died in 1907 from a possible drug and alcohol overdose (Nelson).
 * About Publisher:**

The books first page gives the edition number out of 250. The following page is the title page which states the title, in brackets "now first published', and the prints date and city. The book doesn't contain a table of contents of index. The book opens up with a single poem then is broken up into [| three sections] of poetry followed by a lecture on Renaissance literature.

Helas means Alas! or "unfortunate" in French. The poems theme is of reflection and past love. The poem's speaker reflects on their life by focusing on their past loves. As the speaker reminisces they start to ask questions about their life and the meaning of love. The use of French words in the poem help illuminate the theme of love because of the universally acknowledged idea that french is the language of love. Though the poem is about love it is also has a dark tone. The poem questions whether love is worth experiencing. The rhyme scheme is abba abba cdc cdd which fits with the Italian sonnet. The poem starts out with the speaker explaining the emotional setting of his soul and it has a nostolic element and concludes with the speaker questioning all he's thought of.
 * Opening poem: "HELAS!"**

Ancient Greek for "Freedom" this section contains poems with political views. Each poem in this section revolves around a political issue of the Victorian era. The first poem, "Sonnet to Liberty", is about the debate and swirling ideas surrounding democracy. Poems in this section all contain a political tone, "They serve as a useful reminder that Wilde's work in general is informed by an astute sense of political significance and responsibility of art."(Wordsworth Edition,9).
 * Section 1: Eleutheria**

The poems from this section are mainly about Italy and its sites as well as poems that focus on Catholicism. The first poem of this section is "Requiescat" is written in memory of Wilde's young sister, Isola's death. It was written seven years after her death while he was in Avignon, France (Fisher). As the title eludes, this section seems to have a theme that revolves around theatrical texts and plays. The first poem of this section is "Fabien Dei Franchi". This poem eludes to multiple dramatic works by Shakespeare. .
 * Section 2: Rosa Mystica**
 * Section 3: Impressions Du Theatre**

The Lecture was originally given in New York in 1882. It was Wilde's first lecture and was later shortened and re-named "The Decorative Arts" to appeal to audiences (Oscar Wilde in America).
 * Final Notes: Lecture on the English Renaissance**

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was a playwright from Ireland. Wilde's mother was a writer known as "Speranza" and his father was in medicine. He had an older brother and a younger sister. His sister died at the age of ten from a fever and from that moment forward Wilde carried a lock of her hair with him as a memento. Wilde's relationship with his family influenced his works greatly, especially the loss of his younger sister that inspired him to write, "Requiescat"( Fisher). Throughout school Oscar Wilde took a great interest in classic literature and excelled in ancient Greek within his academic career. After finishing at University, Wilde moved to London to live with a friend. It was during this time in 1881 that Wilde printed his first volume of poems that started his writing career. From that point forward Wilde's career took off. He spent a year in the states giving lectures. Once he'd returned to London, Wilde meet and married Constance Llyod and had two sons. From 1887-1889, Wilde took a job with Women's World Magazine to help support his family. It is after this that Wilde's writing career hits its peak. He publishes two children's stories and his only novel "A Picture of Dorian Gray". This novel was used against Wilde when he was put on trial and held as evidence supporting his homosexual tendencies. Once the trials ended, Wilde tried his chance on playwright. His first play "Lay Windermere's Fan" was so well received that Wilde decided to continue on as a playwright. In 1981, Wilde met his lover Lord "Bosie" with whom he had a relationship with for four years before Wilde was arrested for homosexuality for which he was sentenced to two years of hard labor. When released Wilde wrote "The Ballad of Readin Gaol", his last piece of work. For the rest of his life, Wilde traveled around Europe staying with friends. Wilde died in 1900, due to an ear infection that led to meningitis.(CMGWW)

"A Bookman's Catalogue Vol. 2 M-End." //Google Books//. Ed. R. N. Colbeck and T. Bose. Web. 14 Feb. 2016.
 * Bibliography**

"A Selected Resource of Oscar Wilde's Visits to America." //Oscar Wilde in America//. Owia, 2016. Web. 15 Feb. 2016. [|Leonleaves ard Smither] http://www.mr-oscar-wilde.de/about/s/smithers.htm  "Contents. Wilde, Oscar. 1881. Poems." // Contents. Wilde, Oscar. 1881. Poems // . 1995. Web. 14 Feb. 2016.

Fisher, Benjamin Franklin."The Poets of the Nineties". //Project Muse. Web. 15 April, 2016.//

"Let's Talk about." //Let's Talk about//. Web. 14 Feb. 2016.

Nelson, James G. "Publisher to the Decadents." //Google Books//. Web. 14 Feb. 2016.

"The Official Web Site of Oscar Wilde." //The Official Web Site of Oscar Wilde//. CMGWW. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.

Wilde, Oscar. "Collected Poems of Oscar Wilde." //Google Books//. Wordsworth Editions Ltd. Web. 14 Feb. 2016.  "A Selected Resource of Oscar Wilde's Visits to America." //Oscar Wilde in America//. Owia, 2016. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.