Dishonesty

   Humor and dishonesty play a major role in this play.  The epigrams are all very insightful into real life and how ridiculous it really is.  It is also funny how these epigrams are said.  They are almost philosophically written. Wilde also seems to enjoy poking fun at marriage, education, and religion. He talks about how marriage is more of a business than a matter of love.  He also tells of how religion is more of a requirement than an act of faith.  Throughout the entire play Wilde talks about the importance of being earnest and how important it is for the characters to be named Earnest.  Throughout the play a common theme is the pursuit of pleasure.  Whether it be bunburying or lying about who you are, all of the characters are trying to make themselves as happy as possible without thought to any of the consequences.
   Oscar Wilde is trying to say that dishonesty is never a good thing.  It will always lead to misfortune, except for in this case where everyone fell in love and ended up being married.