A Coronation by Oscar Wilde (1894)
A young king, initially dressed in rags, grapples with the burdens of his role and the suffering in the world. He seeks to understand the nature of kingship and the responsibilities it entails. The Bishop advises him to embrace his royal duties and forget his dreams of alleviating the world's pain, suggesting that the weight of such sorrow is too great for one person to bear. Despite the Bishop's counsel, the young king remains steadfast in his convictions. He prays before an image of Christ, seeking guidance and strength. As he prays, nobles enter, armed and angry, denouncing him for his appearance and perceived unworthiness. They threaten his life, believing he is unfit to rule. In a moment of divine intervention, sunlight envelops the young king, transforming his appearance into that of a true monarch. He is adorned in a radiant robe, symbolizing his inner nobility and the glory of God. The atmosphere shifts as the saints seem to come alive, and the music of the organ fills the air, creating a sense of awe among the onlookers. The nobles, witnessing this miraculous transformation, abandon their hostility, sheathing their swords and paying homage to him. The Bishop, overwhelmed by the sight, kneels before the young king, acknowledging a higher power at work in his coronation. The young king, now recognized and revered, returns to his people, who are filled with reverence and fear, unable to gaze upon his angelic visage. The narrative explores themes of true kingship, the conflict between material power and spiritual integrity, and the transformative power of faith and divine grace. The young king's journey reflects the struggle between societal expectations and personal convictions, ultimately leading to a profound realization of his role as a leader guided by compassion and divine purpose.
By Oscar Wilde · First published 1894 · Genre: Fantasy, Allegory, Drama · 993 words
First lines
And when the Bishop had heard them he knit his brows, and said, 'My son, I am an old man, and in the winter of my days, and I know that many evil things are done in the wide world. The fierce robbers come down from the mountains, and carry off the little children, and sell them to the Moors. The lions lie in wait for the caravans, and leap upon the camels. The wild boar roots up the corn in the valley, and the foxes gnaw the vines upon the hill. The pirates lay waste the sea-coast and burn the ships of the fishermen, and take their nets from them. In the salt-marshes live the lepers; they have houses of wattled reeds, and none may come nigh them. The beggars wander through the cities, and eat their food with the dogs. Canst thou make these things not to be? Wilt thou take the leper for thy bedfellow, and set the beggar at thy board? Shall the lion do thy bidding, and the wild boar obey thee? Is not He who made misery wiser than thou art? Wherefore I praise thee not for this that thou hast done, but I bid thee ride back to the Palace and make thy face glad, and put on the raiment that beseemeth a king, and with the crown of gold I will crown thee, and the sceptre of pearl will I place in thy hand. And as for thy dreams, think no more of them. The burden of this world is too great for one man to bear, and the world's sorrow too heavy for one heart to suffer.'
What this Textopian page supports
A Coronation is listed on Textopian as a short story by Oscar Wilde, dated 1894 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Oscar Wilde
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Allegory, Drama, Literary Fiction, Religious
- Length: 993 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Coronation by Oscar Wilde
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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- How does this short story by Oscar Wilde fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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- The Story Of The Scabbard by James Branch Cabell
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative includes mystical elements, such as the transformation of the young King and the divine light, characteristic of fantasy literature.
- Allegory — The story conveys deeper moral and philosophical themes about kingship, sacrifice, and the nature of true leadership, typical of allegorical works.
- Drama — The intense emotional conflicts and dialogues between characters, particularly the Bishop and the young King, reflect dramatic elements.
- Literary Fiction — The work focuses on character development and thematic depth, hallmarks of literary fiction.
Tags
Coronation · Royal · Politics · Satire · Social Commentary · Comedy · Farce · Romance · Love Story · Court Life · Royalty · Power Struggle