Oscar Wilde employs a variety of literary devices in 'The Importance of Being Earnest' to enhance the comedic and satirical elements of the play. Some of the key literary devices include:
Epigrams: Wilde's witty and paradoxical statements that offer humorous insights into characters and societal norms.
Puns: Playful use of words with multiple meanings or similar sounds to create humor and wordplay.
Irony: Situational irony, verbal irony, and dramatic irony are used throughout the play to highlight the contrast between appearance and reality.
Satire: Wilde employs satire to mock and criticize Victorian society's values, norms, and institutions, such as marriage and social class.
Repetition: Wilde strategically repeats certain phrases or motifs for emphasis, comedic effect, or to underscore thematic elements.