| Lady Windermere | |
|---|---|
 A caricature of actress Lily Hanbury in the role of Lady Windermere | |
|
Real Name |
Windermere |
|
First Appearance |
Lady Windermere's Fan (1892) |
|
Original Publisher |
St James's Theatre |
|
Created by |
Oscar Wilde |
Origin[]
Lady Windermere is a young, beautiful, and principled woman who embodies the values of Victorian society. She is deeply committed to her marriage and has a strict moral code, which she upholds with unwavering conviction. At the start of the play, she believes herself to be morally upright, holding rigid views on what constitutes proper behavior, particularly for women.
Winifred Emery in the role of Lady Winimere (1892)
However, Lady Windermere's confidence in her values and her trust in her husband, Lord Windermere, are shaken when she hears rumors of his supposed affair with Mrs. Erlynne, a mysterious woman of dubious reputation. Outraged and feeling betrayed, she contemplates leaving her husband. Her emotional turmoil is a central part of the play, as she grapples with questions of morality, forgiveness, and reputation.
Throughout the story, Lady Windermere undergoes a significant transformation, as she begins to understand the complexity of human behavior and the importance of compassion. By the end, she learns the value of mercy and self-reflection, realizing that people are not as straightforwardly good or bad as she once believed.
Public Domain Appearances[]
Public Domain Stageplay Appearances[]
- Lady Windermere's Fan (1892)
Public Domain Film Appearances[]
- Lady Windermere's Fan (1916)
- Shàonǎinai de shànzi (1924)
- Lady Windermere's Fan (1925)
Notes[]
- Lady Windermere's Victorian manners inspired the name of a chronic lung infection, which affects individuals with seemingly normal immune systems without coughing or spitting.