Free Plan Usage
Unlock with Pro:
Algernon, posing as the fictional 'Ernest', attempts to woo Cecily in the garden. He is bewildered to discover that Cecily has already documented their entire romance and engagement in her diary long before they actually met.
ALGERNON: I hope, Cecily, I shall not offend you if I state quite frankly and openly that you seem to me to be in every way the visible personification of absolute perfection.
CECILY: I think your frankness does you great credit, Ernest. If you will allow me, I will copy your remarks into my diary.
Create a free account to explore more
Upgrade to Pro for full access — £6.99/month
Director's Notes
Explore More
Want expert coaching on this scene?
Browse our curated list of acting coaches, dialect specialists, and more.
Need representation?
Browse verified agents and casting directors in our directory.
How well does this scene match you?
Save your casting profile to see match scores on every scene.
Try Headshot AnalyserGo Pro
£6.99/mo
- ✓ Unlimited scene reading
- ✓ PDF downloads
- ✓ Director's Notes
- ✓ Headshot Analyser
- ✓ Cover Letter Generator
- ✓ Practice Mode
- ✓ Agent Connect
- + 1,000+ scenes
More from The Importance of Being Earnest
Gwendolen and Cecily's First Encounter
from The Importance of Being Earnest
A character grapples with a significant internal conflict or external pressure, attempting to articulate their deepest fears or desires. The scene explores the emotional weight of their current situation and the stakes of their next decision.
Act II, Scene 1 — Gwendolen's Candour
from The Importance of Being Earnest
Gwendolen discovers that her fiancé, Ernest (Jack), has a young and beautiful ward named Cecily. She attempts to maintain Victorian politeness while expressing her deep insecurity and jealousy regarding Cecily's 'alluring' appearance.
The Muffin Argument
from The Importance of Being Earnest
Two friends engage in a heated yet absurd argument over muffins while their romantic lives crumble around them. Jack is outraged by Algernon's deception and gluttony, while Algernon uses triviality and food as a defense mechanism against the gravity of their social ruin.
Gwendolyn's Jealousy
from The Importance of Being Earnest
Gwendolen expresses her sudden insecurity and polite jealousy upon discovering that her fiancé, Ernest, has a young and beautiful ward. She attempts to maintain a mask of high-society decorum while suggesting that Cecily's physical charms might be a threat to Ernest's moral fortitude.
Similar Scenes
The Fake Sex Plan
from Easy A
Olive Penderghast proposes a deceptive plan to help her friend Brandon improve his social standing by faking a sexual encounter. They discuss the mechanics of high school popularity and the power of rumors to reshape one's identity. Brandon eventually agrees to the scheme, setting the stage for a complicated social experiment.
Act I, Scene 1 — The Course of True Love
from A Midsummer Night's Dream
Hermia and Lysander lament the difficulties of their forbidden love before Lysander proposes a plan to flee Athens and marry in secret at his aunt's house. They exchange vows of loyalty and agree to meet in the woods the following night.
The Wedding Night
from Addams Family Values
On their wedding night in Hawaii, the murderous Debbie attempts to electrocute Uncle Fester in a bathtub, only to realize he is physically indestructible. She then pivots her strategy to isolate him from his family as a condition for their intimacy.
The Manifesto Critique
from The French Dispatch
A seasoned journalist discovers a young revolutionary hiding in her bathtub while he attempts to write a political manifesto. The scene explores the awkward but intellectual bond between the two as they navigate personal sadness, youthful idealism, and the rigors of editorial criticism.