Did Oscar Wilde really consort with rent boys?

Question

I have been reading excerpts from his two trials and it seems he was a pedophile who went at it as far as his money would allow. I like his writing but if this stuff is true about his pederastry I am a bit put off.

Answer 1

It isnt a fact but more than likely yes . A lot of his plays here in Ireland start with him reminiscing about life untia young gentleman comes and they go upstairs and then the real play starts.

Answer 2

Keep in mind that he may have consorted with men in the 16 year old range, but they were considered men back then. The age we consider to be the genesis of adulthood has been steadily pushed back over the last several hundred years as the average life expectancy goes up.

Also, his trial was mainly pushed for by the father of a lover who was of age. The trial was a joke. It was basically stuffy British society punishing him for being famous while being gay.

Answer 3

I don't know if he was a pedophile, I haven't come across that information, but I know that he was a homosexual and he was sentenced to jail for that. That still doesn't stop me from enjoying his works. I think it's better to separate the artist from the man--as far as artists go, they usually are weirder than most people and not really known for their moral life: drug-addiction, suicide, etc.
Also, you don't have to like an author or artist's works just because he lead a moral life : they may not be as talented as those who didn't. I usually just enjoy the art and separate it from the author's life.

Answer 4

Apparently, he liked young, very handsome young men, but not children. I don't think he was a pedophile.

Answer 5

Short answer: yes.
Long answer: yyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssss.