“Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same.”
- October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900
- Irish
- Author, poet, playwright
- Written novels, plays, and poems such as “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and “Salome,” he had a great influence on British literature in the late 19th century through his witty social criticism and humor.
Quote
“Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde uses humor and irony to critique both bigamy and monogamy, suggesting that both concepts involve the same problem—being tied to one person in a relationship. By equating bigamy (the act of having two wives) with monogamy (the practice of having one wife), Wilde implies that both systems of marriage are restrictive or inherently flawed in their own way. His comment is not an attack on the institution of marriage itself, but a playful commentary on how the idea of commitment to one individual can be seen as equally limiting or unsatisfying in the context of relationships.
Wilde often used wit to challenge societal norms and to question accepted ideas about morality, love, and relationships. By reducing both bigamy and monogamy to the same idea, Wilde highlights the absurdity of rigid social constructs, especially when it comes to the idea of ownership or possession in romantic relationships. He suggests that human desire and the complexities of emotional connections cannot easily be confined to such narrow categories.
In modern contexts, this quote can be interpreted as a critique of the traditional expectations around romantic relationships, particularly monogamy, and the pressure to conform to a specific relationship structure. Wilde’s words encourage reflection on the nature of commitment, suggesting that the dynamics of love and partnership are more complex and multifaceted than any societal label or expectation can define. His wit reminds us that relationships should be based on mutual understanding and personal fulfillment, rather than blindly following conventional norms.
