Earnest provides both a low and high humor that isn't typical of the Victorian times. On page 1 of any printing of the play, Wilde uses a pun, "As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte." Already, the audience recognizes the humor of the play. The jokes commence with the plot. There is no idling. Similarly, at the play begins with an aristocratic man who lacks skills at a somewhat noble endeavor. One would expect Algernon to be well-trained at the piano, but instead we find later that the servant, Lane actually holds the musical talent. We already have a sense of reversal of roles that provides the high humor. Earnest highlights the duplicity of the upper classes: they are said to be well-cultured, but are often ignorant and indulgent. It is ridiculous that Cecily and Gwendolen require a suitor named Ernest, a pun in itself. Similarly, by luck, Jack happens to be Ernest himself, which makes him earnest. This is an example of how Wilde mixes high humor with low humor.
To me, humor ranges from low to high. Although I often find physical humor and slapstick to be easy and simple, if employed cleverly, they can make a play. I dislike watching videos where people get hurt and the audience is supposed to laugh. I prefer low humor in the form of farce, like when two characters are in close proximity and have to deal with an unfortunate circumstance. High humor can also be trying too hard, like when textbooks try to crack jokes. Satirical humor makes me laugh hardest because I enjoy laughing at my own fascination with pop culture.
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