Ernest

            One of Wilde ways to produce humor was through puns. Pun is a play on words which is uses to keep the audience alert and interested. For example, in the play, the word earnest has double meanings. Earnest is an adjective describing seriousness, sincerity, and confidence; on the other hand, it's also use as a male name. The plot is twists by Jack's and Algernon's lies in order to be Ernest. However, they later discover that they in fact had not been lying at all through the fact that Jack christen named is Earnest and Algernon is Jack's brother whose named is Earnest. Jack said, "I always told you, Gwendolen, my name was Earnest, didn't I? Well, it is Earnest after all. I mean it naturally is Earnest." Moreover, Jack, Gwendolen, Algernon, and Cecily have been earnest all along; they are not earnest in telling the truth or fitting in, but they are earnest of going after what they want. Another pun is used when Algernon said, "I don't play accurately I play with wonderful expression sentiment is my forte." Algernon doesn't admit that he plays poorly and said that he plays with wonderful expression that makes it more inspiring. Forte means loudness of music and personal strength. Algernon manage to change words to compliment himself even though he plays notes incorrectly and loudly.
             Wilde also uses ironic statements to display humor. Wilde mocks the idea of marriage which he expresses through the character, Algernon. For instance, Algernon says to Jack, "I really don't see anything romantic in proposing. It is very romantic to be in love. But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal Then the excitement is all over. The very essence of romance is uncertainty. If I ever get married, I"ll certainly try to forget the fact." Algernon is absurd because of the statement he"d made. How can one forget that one is married? He also said "Divorces are made in Heaven." What he is saying is that it is very easy to be divorced.