I was a modest, good-humoured boy. It is Oxford that has made me insufferable

I was a modest, good-humoured boy. It is Oxford that has made me insufferable

Max Beerbohm, the renowned English essayist and caricaturist, was known for his wit, charm, and self-deprecating humor. His quote, "I was a modest, good-humoured boy. It is Oxford that has made me insufferable," perfectly encapsulates his unique blend of humility and arrogance, as well as his complex relationship with the prestigious university that shaped his intellectual and social identity.

Beerbohm's early years were marked by a sense of modesty and good humor, traits that endeared him to many of his peers and admirers. He was known for his sharp wit and keen observational skills, which he often used to satirize the social and cultural norms of his time. However, it was his time at Oxford University that truly transformed him into the larger-than-life figure he would become.

Oxford, with its centuries-old traditions and intellectual rigor, had a profound impact on Beerbohm's sense of self and his place in the world. It was at Oxford that he honed his writing skills, developed his distinctive style, and cultivated a network of influential friends and mentors. However, the experience also had a more insidious effect on him, as he became increasingly aware of his own intellectual superiority and began to view himself as above the common masses.

Beerbohm's quote can be seen as a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment of the ways in which Oxford shaped his personality and worldview. While he may have started out as a modest and good-humored boy, the university's elitist culture and emphasis on intellectual achievement ultimately turned him into a self-absorbed and insufferable figure. Despite this transformation, Beerbohm never lost his sense of humor or his ability to laugh at himself, making him a beloved and enduring figure in English literature.