An Ideal Husband

An Ideal Husband Summary | Act 1, Part 1 Summary

This play tells the story of two women, whose determination that their husbands should be perfect, creates complication in the lives of the men they love. The play veils important truths behind layers of tart wit and pointed humor, skillfully blending several different genres of comedy, including, satire and farce. Nevertheless, its themes are serious, relating to the lack of wisdom inherent in living according to limited perspectives.

The first scene is set in a large room in the home of Sir Robert Chiltern. His wife, Lady Chiltern, greets her guests, as they arrive for a party. Two women, Mrs. Marchmont and Lady Basildon, gossip about other parties they attend, with Mrs. Marchmont saying her reason for coming to the Chiltern's parties is to be educated, since Lady Chiltern insists that she have some serious purpose in her life. After pointed conversation about how trivial other conversations at other parties are, and about how they suffer because of those conversations, the Vicomte joins the two women. We become unable to hear their conversation as our attention shifts to Lady Chiltern, telling Lord Caversham his son Lord Goring hasn't yet arrived. Mabel joins them, and they argue politely about how aimless Goring's life is, with Mabel flirtatiously hinting at her romantic interest in him.

A butler announces the arrival of Lady Markby and Mrs. Cheveley. Lady Chiltern greets Lady Markby happily, but her manner changes when she greets Mrs. Cheveley, saying they've met before. As Lady Markby turns her attention to another guest, Mrs. Cheveley asks Lady Chiltern where they met, and Lady Chiltern reminds her they were at school together. Mrs. Cheveley says she's looking forward to meeting Lady Chiltern's husband, referring to how his reputation for cleverness has even reached her home in Vienna. Lady Chiltern coolly says she doubts there will be anything in common between her husband, and Mrs. Cheveley, and moves away.

Mrs. Cheveley moves into conversation with the Vicomte, as Sir Robert comes in and greets Lady Markby. Conversation reveals that Sir Robert is a politician, as is Lady Markby's husband, and that Lady Markby doesn't have a good opinion of the work that politicians in the House of Commons are doing. She then mentions that she's brought Mrs. Cheveley with her as her guest, referring to her having just arrived from Vienna and introducing her to Sir Robert. As Lady Markby moves away, conversation between Mrs. Cheveley and Sir Robert reveals that Mrs. Cheveley has been spoken about in London in the same way as Sir Robert has been spoken about in Vienna. Mrs. Cheveley has now remembered Lady Chiltern and recalls her always getting the good conduct prize at school.

After some witty talk about philosophy and the psychology of women, the conversation turns to politics, with Mrs. Cheveley saying that she likes talking about politics more than anything else. She believes that they're sometimes a game, and other times a nuisance. Sir Robert then asks why she's in London, wondering whether she's there for the social season. Mrs. Cheveley says the season bores her, because it always seems to be about people looking for, or hiding from, their husbands. She says that she really came to London to meet Sir Robert and to ask him to do something for her. When he asks what it is, she tells him that she'll explain later. As she asks permission to walk through his house, she refers to a mutual acquaintance, Baron Arnheim. Sir Robert seems uncomfortable at the mention of his name, particularly when Mrs. Cheveley says she knew him intimately.

Goring comes in and greets Sir Robert and Mrs. Cheveley. Conversation reveals that she and Goring know each other, with Mrs. Cheveley asking whether Goring is still a bachelor. Goring confesses that he is. After some witty banter, Mrs. Cheveley goes off with Sir Robert, just as Mabel comes up to Goring. After arguing playfully about his lateness, Goring asks how Mrs. Cheveley came to be at the party, saying he hasn't seen her for years. Mabel explains that Lady Markby brought her, and then as they talk about Mrs. Cheveley's good and bad qualities, their conversation is interrupted by the Vicomte, who invites Mabel to go with him into the music room. She goes with him, reluctantly.

Lord Caversham comes up to Goring and berates him for his wasteful lifestyle. To get away from him, Goring enters into conversation with the returning Lady Basildon, who talks about how she loves going to political parties, but can't stand listening to politics being argued in the House of Commons. She wonders how politicians can stand the long speeches. Goring says they get through it by not listening, making a pointed comment about how listening might bring about a change of opinion and about how someone whose opinions can be changed is ultimately unreasonable. Lady Basildon says that that explains the relationships between man husbands and wives. Mrs. Marchmont, who has just joined the conversation, agrees.

Goring jokes that their views are those of women with "the most admirable husbands in London," leading both women to comment that their husbands are faultless, well trained, perfect ... and boring. They also talk about how tragic it is that they're trusted so thoroughly by their husbands. Goring makes a joke, leading the women to complain that he's on the side of the men. He refers to how he, like the other men, was talking to Mrs. Cheveley, who they say made unpleasant comments about London society. Mabel joins them, complaining about how everyone is talking about Mrs. Cheveley. After more banter about how unhappy Lady Basildon and Mrs. Marchmont are with their perfect husbands, Mabel leads Goring away to get some supper, saying she wishes he was paying more attention to her. As they go, Lady Basildon and Mrs. Marchmont complain about how men in general, and their husbands in particular, pay no attention to them. Men invite them both into supper; both refuse flirtatiously and then to go in, just as Sir Robert is returning with Mrs. Cheveley.