Marriage is of paramount importance in The Importance of Being Earnest. In the play, marriage is reflected as the conventional respectability of Victorian society, which is character, income and status. These three criteria were considered the nature and purpose of marriage at that time. Cynically, marriage was seen as a means to an end. Oscar Wilde ridiculed the institution of marriage. Throughout the work, The Importance of Being Earnest, there is a pessimistic view of marriage. In many lines Wilde mocks the most sacred tradition; marriage. Hypocritical customs and traditions were also mocked. Marriage is the main core of the plot, in which the two young men wish to marry two young women, who in return wish to marry a man named Ernest. Wilde mocked aristocrats by using marriage for mainly two reasons. First, it is a traditionally sacred ceremony and, second, it can highlight the importance of wealth and status among the upper classes. Marriages, among aristocrats, were seen as a financial contract. Wilde's view of marriage is that it is a ruin, which could be due to his own marriage or his homosexuality. Wilde found his marriage boring. In The Importance of Being Earnest, the characters wittily joke against the institution and concept of marriage by making fun of the monotony of marriage, the social abuse of marriage and the reasons for marriage. Wilde also expressed through the characters that romance and happiness are hindered in the bonds of marriage. She also noted that marriage brings with it stress and unhappiness. Wilde's view on marriage is known through the characters. For example, Lane insinuates that marriage is boring by stating that wine is better at home... middle of paper... in a short period of time. At the rapid sign of difficulty, couples easily tend to seek a solution in divorce. Divorce is not a solution when a bump comes in the way. The marriages I have experienced are arranged marriages. But those marriages are more successful than love marriages. Whether it's upbringing or culture, divorce is not an option. Oscar Wilde's assessment of marriage may be considered cynical, but it was a relatively accurate assessment considering the time period. On the other hand, his opinion would now be ignored, as people tend to marry not for social status or financial gain, but for love and companionship. I agree with Wilde's opinion on marriage in Victorian society, but I don't think his opinion is accurate today. I personally believe in the institution of marriage. Marriage does not mean the end of romance and love.