Dishonesty relates to humor in epigrams because the characters ideals or beliefs on life are hypocritical. They say one thing, and two seconds later, the contradict it. In a way, they are lying. Also, some of the beliefs that the characters have are based off of lies such as the situation with Algernon and Jack pretending to be a man named Ernest. Dishonesty relates to the satire of social institutions because the rich and snotty people which are also known as the upper class, can pretty much do whatever they want (including lie) and get away with it. For example, Algy decides that he wants to miss his business meeting, and he doesn't even care because he won't get in trouble. Dishonesty is related to the pursuit of pleasure because the women decide they wouldn't love the men unless their names were Ernest. That is the women's pleasure, but the men are lying about their names. Also, for Algy and Jack, pleasure comes before being a gentleman. The go bunburying to party and have a good time instead of being true to their families and friends. The name Ernest and the title of the play (earnest) are related to dishonesty for obvious reasons. Again, Gwendolyn and Cecily think the name Ernest inspires absolute confidence. Algy and Jack are lying about their names and relatives to meet that criteria. It's ironic that the women say they could never marry someone who isn't named Ernest when they love Algy and Jack. I would also classify this as satire of marriage.
I think Wilde is trying to show that lying will get you into trouble in the end. This play is like a web of love, but it only gets to be that way because of the characters' lies. Then Algy and Jack get caught up in those lies when they both pretend to be Ernest for different women. As both men and both women end up at the same house, it becomes quite clear that the men will have to tell the truth. I also think Wilde is saying that lying can seem like fun and a good idea at the time, but in the end, one will be discovered as a liar.
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