The Ballad of Reading Gaol, (version 2)

In 1895, Oscar Wilde, a renowned playwright, was sentenced to hard labor for two years due to his involvement in acts of 'gross indecency'. While serving his sentence at Reading Gaol, he witnessed a rare execution. This experience deeply affected Wilde, and in the three years following his release until his death in 1900, he wrote a poem known as "The Ballad of Reading Gaol, (version 2)". The poem reflects on the death penalty and the significance of forgiveness, emphasizing that even those who commit heinous acts, such as murdering a spouse, deserve compassion. Wilde argues that the murderer, in causing their own pain by killing the one they loved, suffers greatly. He further suggests that all individuals are both the cause of someone else's suffering and experience suffering inflicted by others. Wilde draws inspiration from the perspective of Jesus Christ, who, despite witnessing the worst of human actions, could still recognize the beauty of humanity and advocated for unconditio