Characters: Sir Robert Chiltern

Robert Chiltern, a respected member of parliament, faces his tarnished past, is blackmailed, but ultimately avoids public scandal. His dark secret is that his wealth stems from selling a state secret. As a young man, he learns that England plans to support a massive overseas project, meaning anyone investing before the public announcement would become wealthy. Essentially, buying stock in the relevant companies before the prices rise due to...

Mrs. Cheveley, the antagonist of Wilde’s play, enters the Chilterns' social circle and Lord Goring's life with the intent to either have her way or ruin those who resist her demands. She arrives in London from Vienna, where she has resided for some time, to blackmail Sir Robert Chiltern. She possesses incriminating evidence of Chiltern’s dark secret—a letter he wrote. She threatens to reveal his past misdeeds unless he endorses a South American canal project instead of denouncing it as a stock market fraud, which he intends to do in a parliamentary speech. Mrs. Cheveley and her associates have heavily invested in the scheme, and if the respected Chiltern were to advise the government to support it, Mrs. Cheveley and her friends would significantly increase their wealth.

One of Wilde’s themes in the play is that large fortunes often stem from unethical origins, so Mrs. Cheveley’s actions are crafted to be entirely unsympathetic, creating a believable villain. The stock market manipulation not only promises to enhance her riches but also risks impoverishing others. Additionally, she is a blackmailer and a habitual thief and liar. Nevertheless, Mrs. Cheveley delivers some of the play’s most memorable witticisms.

Lord Goring, a close companion of Sir Robert Chiltern, successfully saves his friend by thwarting Mrs. Cheveley’s blackmail attempt. He manages to stop her by gathering evidence that she is a thief and threatening to inform the authorities unless she abandons her scheme, which she does. However, Goring’s role in the serious plot of this play is far less amusing than his involvement in the comedic aspects of An Ideal Husband.

Lord Goring delivers the play's most humorous lines, many of which remain popular today. For instance, he tells his butler, Phipps, "To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance, Phipps." He also has a witty comeback for his father when Caversham remarks that he cannot understand how Goring tolerates London society. Caversham describes London society as "a lot of damned nobodies talking about nothing." Goring responds, "I love talking about nothing, father. It is the only thing I know anything about."

Lord Goring embodies the dandy archetype: not only is he fashionable, but he also sets trends with his attire. He acts as though nothing is serious and treasures clever banter, in which he excels.

If not for his father's insistence that he should consider marriage, Lord Goring would likely continue his life of leisure and self-centeredness. However, aware of his obligation to produce heirs, Goring realizes that the ideal partner for him is right in front of him—Mabel Chiltern.

Gertrude Chiltern is a sheltered, virtuous woman who idolizes perfect goodness, especially embodied in her "ideal husband." The dilemma she faces is that her husband is not as flawless as she believes; he harbors a disreputable secret from his past that could jeopardize his career.

Described as possessing "a grave Greek beauty," Lady Chiltern is fittingly noble in character. She is engaged in numerous charitable activities, such as advocating for women's rights to higher education. In essence, she is a wealthy woman with strong principles, believing it her...

Mabel Chiltern is interested in Lord Goring as a potential husband, and they become engaged in the final act of the play. She is Robert Chiltern's sister and is pretty, smart, and lively, with wit comparable to Lady Basildon and Mrs. Marchmont. Mabel, knowing Lord Goring is the right man for her, waits with grace and humor, though somewhat impatiently, for him to realize she is his ideal partner.

From Lord Goring’s father's perspective, Mabel is a clever and charming young woman who is far too good for his son. Mabel contrasts with Gertrude because she does not expect perfection from anyone. She even states that one reason she likes Lord Goring is that he has flaws.

Lady Basildon, along with her close companion Mrs. Marchmont, opens Wilde's play with sharp and humorous dialogue. Wilde’s stage directions describe them as "types of exquisite fragility," portraying them as female dandies. They feign a jaded demeanor, claiming to find the fashionable London gatherings they frequent dreadfully dull. As Lady Basildon remarks about another event they plan to attend: "Horribly tedious! Never know why I go. Never know why I go anywhere." Their worldly sophistication and cleverness likely appealed to a segment of Wilde's audience, particularly the fashionable society women he aimed to entertain.

The Earl of Caversham (Lord Caversham) is Lord Goring’s father, a classic portrayal of a father baffled by the unpredictable nature of a son he cannot comprehend. He spends his time reprimanding his son and advising him on how to spend his time. At the very least, Lord Caversham suggests that Lord Goring should consider marriage. Despite his frustration, it is clear that Lord Caversham cares for his idle son.

Lady Markby serves as Mrs. Cheveley's main connection to London society, as Mrs. Cheveley, being younger, has traveled from Vienna by herself. Lady Markby introduces Mrs. Cheveley to those she hasn't yet met and accompanies her around town. She is a well-established, respected, and older member of the affluent, aristocratic society portrayed in Wilde's play.

The vicomte is a French attaché who admires everything English, and Lord Goring teases him for this. His role in the play seems to offer English audiences of the era something French to chuckle at—a popular move by Wilde, considering the long-standing political and cultural rivalries between the French and the English.

Phipps is Lord Goring's "ideal" butler. He is self-effacing and discreet, ensuring he does not impose his personality. Despite this, in conversations with Lord Goring, he occasionally delivers subtle humor with a straight face.

Mrs. Marchmont is a close friend of Lady Basildon. The two women share a strong bond and have similar personalities.