The scene where Bosey tells Wilde that "there are two f--king men out there who I am going to f--k" struck me as inaccurate historically. Does anyone know if that word was used freely in conversation during that time period? I know they weren't out in public but it still seemed out of place.
shareBosie's use of the word was certainly very out of character for someone of his social class, but I think it's reasonable to assume he was deliberately trying to offend Oscar.
The word itself was in common use among the lower classes at the time - go to http://www.etymonline.com/index.php and enter the word (can't put the URL in directly here, the censor routine will catch it ) for a contemporary reference.
Thank you! A friend told me that the expression "mother f-er" can be traced back to slave times when it was a literal translation. Sorry, I find ALL forms of linguistics fascinating, not just with curse words!
share
The word itself is Anglo-Saxon. Means to hit or strike.
---------
http://opheliasattic.blogspot.com/
Hi
'the_tevildo' is spot on with the above comment.
Bosie's 'class' of gentleman would never have been caught dead saying anything like that in the 1890's. But the word was certainly around and there are excessive uses of it recorded in the First World War, even among the high ranking officers.
It was used in this particular section of the film as an example of how clean everyone spoke back in the Victorian era and how Bosie was going against the grain by simply using the language of the 'working class'.
In a way it was showing just how out of control he was, for a man in that period. I think you'll agree that after watching the film for an hour, the audience is as shocked to hear the words coming out of Bosie's mouth as Oscar is himself!
Another affective useage of the word *beep* in a film where there are no other uses of the word is 'Titanic'.
The film's worst word is s**t, until Lewis (in present day) refers to Captain Smith having a telegram "...in his *beep* hand." He then corrects himself infront of the old lady and repeats himself, removing the profanity.
In 'Wilde' the use of word, especially the number of times it is used in such a short space of time, is important and deliberate.
Compared to the language that Wilde himself uses when Queensberry bursts into his house, in which not one colourful metaphore is used, Bosie's outburst is quite shocking, and sadly (knowing the type of character he was) quite realistic.
TS
One other British period piece where I was surprised to hear this word used was "Master and Commander". That film took place in the early 19th century, and it was a coarse old sailor who said it ("f-ing pirates").
shareOf course, as you all know, this word wasn't invented until the 19th century .. and it certainly would not have been used by the upper class!!!
share[deleted]
Poor evelynpantel. You obviously don't understand sarcasm. Of course my comment was ridiculously ludicrous. It was in response to previous posts asserting that men of "Bosie's" class would not have used the word. Next time you get on your high horse, make sure you appreciate the context in which a post is written!
Did you read these posts? They deserve your feeble attempt at superiority.
"Bosie's use of the word was certainly very out of character for someone of his social class"
"Bosie's 'class' of gentleman would never have been caught dead saying anything like that in the 1890's"
"One other British period piece where I was surprised to hear this word used was "Master and Commander". That film took place in the early 19th century, and it was a coarse old sailor who said it ("f-ing pirates"). "
And considering what an evil old reptile Bosie's father was (he was even worse in real life than in the film), it wouldn't surprise me if the Douglas family had been subjected to language like this all the time. Plus Oscar and Co spent much of their time amongst rent-boys, hardly the most mealy-mouthed individuals.
shareOn the nautical diversion I was shocked when Trevor Howard as Captain Bligh in "Mutiny on the Bounty" said "Get that slut off my ship!".
shareOh, aren't you all sweet. Do you really think that the upper classes are too genteel to use naughty words? It's the anxious lower-middles who were and are mealy-mouthed and easily shocked. Aristocrats such as Bosie and his father wouldn't give a damn.
share