The analysis of O. Wilde’s early tragedy “The Duchess of Padua” was made in the light of the “unrealistic philosophy” and the writer’s complex of representations of irrational power. Attention is paid to the reasons for Wilde's appeal to the genre of tragedy, which lies in the desire for popularity, in the aspiration to show the talent of the playwright, and in the implementation of philosophical and aesthetic principles. The novelty of the research results is seen in the fact that the play, deprived of the attention of Russian literary critics, is shown as meaningful and ideologically significant. A review of works studying the traditions of the Renaissance tragedy, including Shakespearean, romantic is performed. The provision on the formation of the principles of the "new" drama, combined in the “Duchess of Padua” with the scale of the philosophical problems of ancient texts, is substantiated. The topics identified in the play by domestic and foreign literary scholars are named. The main elements of the plot in the framework of external and internal conflicts are considered. Particular attention is paid to internal conflict, reflecting Wilde’s philosophical views. Studying the tragedy from the perspective of the “unrealistic philosophy” made it possible to reveal Wilde’s ideas about the pressing issues of the contemporary world. It is proved that the most significant problem for him is the victory of pragmatism, the rational principle over spirituality.