Which forms of humor does Wilde rely on in this play?

• A. Irony and sarcasm
• B. Parody
• C. Slapstick only
• D. Wordplay and pun (especially about names) and farcical mistaken identities

Answer: (D)

Wilde’s humor here rests on wordplay and punning about names, combined with farcical mistaken identities that drive the plot. The idea that being named Ernest signals honesty becomes a running joke, and the lines are packed with witty exchanges, double meanings, and playful banter about language and social labels. At the same time, the action hinges on characters adopting false identities—Jack and Algernon posing as someone named Ernest, Cecily and others reacting to those deceptions—which creates rapid misunderstandings and comic reversals. These intertwined elements of linguistic play and identity mix give the play its distinctive, buoyant wit and satirical bite. While irony, social satire, and occasional parody appear, they don't shape the humor as directly as the combination of word games around names and the farce of mistaken identities. Slapstick isn’t the primary engine, making the chosen approach the strongest fit.