Test Your Knowledge of Lady Windermere's Fan Play

"Lady Windermere's Fan, A Play About a Good Woman" is a play written by Oscar Wilde. His wit and style are evident in this play that explores themes of love, marriage, and societal expectations.

Lady Windermere suspects that her husband is having an affair with Mrs Erlynne. This suspicion sets the stage for the unfolding drama and misunderstandings central to the themes of the play.

In the course of the play, it is revealed that Mrs Erlynne is Lady Windermere's mother. This revelation adds a layer of complexity to the characters' interactions and leads to a significant turning point in the storyline.

Mrs Erlynne's motive for blackmailing Lord Windermere is to regain her lifestyle and status. The play delves into the complexities of her past and her desire to reclaim a position in society through manipulation and intrigue.

In Act 4, it is revealed that Mrs Erlynne abandoned her family shortly after Lady Windermere's birth for a lover, while Lady Windermere believed her to have died. This revelation sheds light on the complex dynamics between the characters and adds a crucial element to the unfolding drama.

"Lady Windermere's Fan" consists of four acts. The play unfolds in multiple acts, each contributing to the development of the storyline and the revelation of the characters' complexities and secrets.

Act I concludes with Lord Windermere's soliloquy, where he reveals that he is protecting Mrs Erlynne's true identity to save his wife from extreme humiliation. This revelation adds a layer of complexity to the plot, setting the stage for the unfolding drama in the subsequent acts. It emphasizes Lord Windermere's internal conflict and the lengths he is willing to go to protect Lady Windermere's feelings.

Act 4 contributes to the resolution by portraying Lady Windermere's forgiveness towards Mrs Erlynne. This pivotal moment highlights the themes of sacrifice and redemption, ultimately leading to the restoration of familial bonds and the resolution of the central conflict in the play.

"Lady Windermere's Fan" was first performed on Saturday, 20 February 1892, at the St James's Theatre in London. This date marks the premiere of the play, showcasing Wilde's comedic genius to the audience for the first time.

The genre of "Lady Windermere's Fan" is comedy. Oscar Wilde infuses humor and satire into the play, creating a comedic exploration of societal norms and human relationships. This play marked Oscar Wilde's initial venture into the realm of comedy following the publication of a series of relatively obscure tragedies, such as "Vera; or, The Nihilists" and "The Duchess of Padua."