Monologue

Lord Illingworth Monologue from A Woman of No Importance

From A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde

male · sarcastic · 1:15 min

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A much better institution, of course. We in the House of Lords are never in touch with public opinion. That makes us a civilised body. (KELVIL: Are you serious in putting forward such a view?) Quite serious, Mr. Kelvil. (To MRS. ALLONBY.) Vulgar habit that is people have nowadays of asking one, after one has given them an idea, whether one is serious or not. Nothing is serious except passion. The intellect is not a serious thing, and never has been. It is an instrument on which one plays, that is all. The only serious form of intellect I know is the British intellect. And on the British intellect the illiterates play the drum. (LADY HUNSTANTON: What are you saying, Lord Illingworth, about the drum?) I was merely talking to Mrs. Allonby about the leading articles in the London newspapers.

About this piece

Lord Illingworth expresses his disdain for societal norms regarding intellect and seriousness, revealing his belief that only passion holds true significance.

40s · contempt · intellect · society · passion · British identity

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