R

AN IDEAL HUSBAND
a literary adaptation from
Oscar Wildes play

PROGRAMMA DI SALA AD ESCLUSIVO USO DIDATTICO.

SONO VIETATE LA RIPRODUZIONE E LA DIVULGAZIONE
TRAMITE APPARATI FOTOCOPIATORI,
SALVO ESPRESSA AUTORIZZAZIONE DI PALKETTOSTAGE.
Autore
Oscar Fingal OFlahertie Wills Wilde nasce nel 1854 a Dublino. Frequenta
con successo la Portora Royal School di Enniskillen, il Trinity College di
Dublino e il Magdalen College di Oxford, ottenendo nel novembre 1878
il prestigioso Bachelor of Arts. Diviene ben presto famoso non solo
per le sue opere, ma anche per i suoi atteggiamenti stravaganti, come
passeggiare a Piccadilly con un giglio o un girasole in mano. La sua vita
sentimentale molto turbolenta: si sposa con Constance Lloyd nel 1884, ma
il matrimonio fallisce dopo qualche anno. Intreccia poi una relazione con
Lord Alfred Douglas che porta pubblicamente a galla la sua omosessualit
e crea un grande scandalo nella societ vittoriana dellepoca. Nel 1895
intenta una causa per diffamazione contro il marchese di Queensberry, ma
senza successo. Anzi, da querelante diventa imputato e viene condannato
a due anni di lavori forzati per omosessualit. E la rovina sociale ed
economica. Uscito di prigione nel 1897, ritorna a Parigi, ma la discesa sociale
inesorabile. Morir, povero e malato, nel 1900.
Alcune opere
The Duchess of Padua (1883) - The Happy Prince and Other Tales (1888)
- The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) - Salom (1893) - Lady Windermeres
Fan (1892) - A Woman of No Importance (1893) - The Importance of Being
Earnest (1895) - An Ideal Husband (1895) - De Profundis (1897) - The
Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898)
individuare i diversi ambienti. I costumi, oltre ad identificare i diversi
personaggi, stabiliscono un legame con la loro linea dazione attraverso
uno stile moderno e vivido: il pubblico assister ad unopera ancora attuale,
piena di vitalit ed emotivamente coinvolgente diretta dalla regista Irina
Sabristova. Gli accessori sono studiati con attenzione: cappelli, gioielli,
cravatte, scarpe eleganti creano in scena unimmagine di opulenza e
contribuiscono a catturare limmaginazione degli spettatori. La musica
un sottofondo costante: i brani sono scelti sia per schiudere al pubblico il
periodo storico in cui ambientata lopera, sia per veicolare lemozione
delle scene, intensificando temi forti come amore, tradimento, inganno, e
allentando la tensione nei momenti pi romantici e leggeri. La recitazione
studiata per rendere lopera accessibile ai giovani studenti italiani e gli
eventi principali sono marcati in maniera significativa dallinterpretazione
degli attori, per rendere chiara lintenzione dei personaggi. I caratteri
femminili, lungi dallessere meri complementi delle macchinazioni degli
uomini, acquisiscono forza e sono fortemente motivati. Eleganza, vivacit e
chiarezza sono le parole chiave di questo allestimento.

La trama
Sir Robert Chiltern un rispettato e brillante uomo politico, profondamente
amato dalla moglie, che riconosce in lui tutte le migliori qualit. Un giorno,
per, i meschini intrighi di Mrs. Cheveley rivelano a Lady Chiltern che
la fortuna di suo marito ha avuto origine da unantica disonest. Questa
rivelazione le fa perdere la fiducia nel marito e fa sgretolare non solo la
sua felicit, ma anche il suo pi importante punto di riferimento etico. Solo
il tempestivo intervento di un amico di entrambi, lironico ed affascinante
Lord Goring, riuscir a salvare il loro matrimonio.

Note di regia
Alla fine dellOttocento, Londra la pi importante potenza politica ed
economica mondiale e lintero allestimento riflette questidea di benessere
e potere. La vicenda si svolge negli appartamenti dellalta borghesia,
rappresentati attraverso pannelli mobili, trasparenti, rivestiti da ricchi
tendaggi e completati da elementi di arredo che aiutano il pubblico a

2 3
 SYNOPSIS OF SCENES

ACT I

Scene 1 page 6
Scene 2 page 7
Scene 3 page 9
Scene 4 page 11
Scene 5 page 15 CHARACTERS
Scene 6 page 18 (in order of appearance)

ACT II

Scene 1 page 21 LADY GERTRUDE CHILTERN

Scene 2 page 26 MISS MABEL CHILTERN
Scene 3 page 30 VOICE OF MASON
THE EARL OF CAVERSHAM
ACT III MRS. CHEVELEY
SIR ROBERT CHILTERN
Scene 1 page 34 LORD ARTHUR GORING
Scene 2 page 36 VOICE OF PHIPPS
Scene 3 page 40

ACT IV

Scene 1 page 46
Scene 2 page 48
Scene 3 page 51
Scene 4 page 53

4 5
 ACT I
The Octagon Room in Sir Robert Chilterns House in Grosvenor Square.
SCENE 1
Lady Gertrude Chiltern, Mabel Chiltern, the Earl of Caversham, Mrs. Cheveley.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern receives the guests as they begin to ascend the
staircase. The sound of a string quartette is faintly heard.
Mabel Chiltern. Certainly, the evenings in this house are the best in town.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. The perfection fascinates people.
Voice of Mason (announcing guests as they arrive at the top of the staircase).
... The Earl of Caversham.
The Earl of Caversham, an old gentleman of seventy, enters.
Earl of Caversham. Good evening, Lady Chiltern! Has my good-for-nothing
young son been here?
Lady Geltrude Chiltern (smiling). I dont think Lord Arthur Goring has
arrived yet.
Mabel Chiltern (to the Earl of Caversham). Why do you call Lord Goring
good-for-nothing?
Earl of Caversham. Because he lives such an idle life.
Mabel Chiltern. Why? He rides every day in the morning, goes to the Opera
three times a week, changes his clothes at least five times a day, and dines
out every night. You dont call that leading an idle life, do you?
Earl of Caversham (looking at her, with a kindly twinkle in his eyes). You are
a very charming young lady!
Mabel Chiltern. How sweet of you to say that, Lord Caversham! Do come
and visit us more often.
6 7
The Earl of Caversham nods.
Voice of Mason (announcing guests). Mrs. Cheveley.
Mrs. Cheveley enters.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (advances towards Mrs. Cheveley with a sweet smile.
Then suddenly stops, and bows rather distantly). I think Mrs. Cheveley and I
have met before.
Mrs. Cheveley (playing with her fan). Really?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. We were at school together, Mrs. Cheveley.
Mrs. Cheveley (superciliously). I have forgotten all about my schooldays.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (coldly). I am not surprised at all!
Mrs. Cheveley (with affected kindness). Do you know, I am looking forward
to meeting your clever husband, Lady Chiltern. Since he has been at the
Foreign Office, he has been talked about such a lot in Vienna.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. I dont really think there will be a lot in common
between you and my husband, Mrs. Cheveley!
Lady Gertrude Chiltern exits.
SCENE 2
Mabel Chiltern, Mrs. Cheveley, Sir Robert Chiltern.
Sir Robert Chiltern enters. He approaches Mabel Chiltern and kisses her hand.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Dear sister, good-evening! You are wonderful as always.
He turns and sees Mrs. Cheveley.
Sir Robert Chiltern. You are the brilliant Mrs. Cheveley, I suppose. Our
attachs in Vienna write to us about nothing else.
Mrs. Cheveley. Thank you, Sir Robert. An acquaintance that begins with
a compliment is sure to develop into a real friendship. It starts in the right
manner.
Mabel Chiltern. I shall go and see if Lord Arthur Goring has arrived. Please
excuse me.
Mabel Chiltern exits.
Signora Cheveley (to Robert). I have found out that I knew Lady Gertrude
Chiltern already.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Really?
Mrs. Cheveley. I remember perfectly. She always got the good conduct prize.
Sir Robert Chiltern (smiling). And what prizes did you get, Mrs. Cheveley?
Mrs. Cheveley. My prizes came a little later on in life.
Sir Robert Chiltern. I am sure they were for something charming! But do sit
down.
They sit on the sofa.
Sir Robert Chiltern. And now tell me, what made you leave your brilliant
Vienna for our gloomy London.
Mrs. Cheveley. I wanted very much to meet you, and... to ask you to do
something for me.
Sir Robert Chiltern (surprised). Do tell me what it is.
Mrs. Cheveley. Later on. (Rises.) Now, I would like to walk through your
beautiful house. Poor Baron Arnheim used to tell me you had some
wonderful pictures. Do you remember the Baron?
Sir Robert Chiltern (after a pause). He was very remarkable, in many ways.
Voice of Mason (announcing). Lord Arthur Goring.
8 9
SCENE 3
Sir Robert Chiltern, Mrs. Cheveley,
Lord Arthur Goring, Mabel Chiltern, the Earl of Caversham.
Lord Arthur Goring enters.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Good evening, my dear Arthur! Mrs. Cheveley, allow
me to introduce to you Lord Arthur Goring, the idlest man in London.
Mrs. Cheveley. I have met Lord Goring before.
Lord Arthur Goring (bowing). I did not think you would remember me, Mrs.
Cheveley.
Mrs. Cheveley. My memory is perfect. Are you still a bachelor?
Lord Arthur Goring. I believe so. May I ask if you intend staying in London
long?
Mrs. Cheveley. It depends partly on the weather, partly on the cooking, and
partly on Sir Robert.
Sir Robert Chiltern. You are not going to drop us into a European war, I
hope.
Mrs. Cheveley. There is no danger of that, at present!
She nods to Lord Arthur Goring, with a look of amusement in her eyes,
and exits with Sir Robert Chiltern. Mabel Chiltern enters.
Mabel Chiltern. You are very late!
Lord Arthur Goring. Have you missed me?
Mabel Chiltern. Terribly!
Lord Arthur Goring. Then I am sorry I did not stay away longer. I like being
missed.
Mabel Chiltern. How very selfish of you!
Lord Arthur Goring. Yes, I am very selfish.
Mabel Chiltern. You are always telling me of your bad qualities, Lord Goring.
Lord Arthur Goring. Up to now I have only told you half of them, Miss Mabel!
Mabel Chiltern. Well, I delight in your bad qualities. I wouldnt have you
part with them.
Lord Arthur Goring. How very nice of you! But then you are always nice.
Mabel Chiltern. Do you know Mrs. Cheveley well? What kind of a woman is
she?
Lord Arthur Goring. Oh! A genius in the daytime and a beauty at night!
Mabel Chiltern. I dislike her already.
Lord Arthur Goring. That shows your admirable good taste.
Mabel Chiltern (getting up). Arent you coming to the music-room?
Lord Arthur Goring. Not if there is any music playing, Miss Mabel.
Mabel Chiltern (severely). The music is in German. You would not
understand it anyway.
She exits. The Earl of Caversham enters and goes to his son.
Earl of Caversham. Well, sir! What are you doing here? Wasting your life
as usual! You should be in bed, sir. You always stay up into the late hours! I
heard that the other night you were dancing till four oclock in the morning!
Lord Arthur Goring. Only a quarter to four, father.
Earl of Caversham. I cant understand how you tolerate London society. A
lot of stupid nobodies talking about nothing.
Lord Arthur Goring. I love talking about nothing, father. It is the only thing
I know anything about.
10
Earl of Caversham. You seem to me to be living entirely for pleasure.
Lord Arthur Goring. What else is there to live for, father?
Earl of Caversham. You are heartless, sir, very heartless!
Lord Arthur Goring. I hope not, father.
The Earl of Caversham exits. Mabel Chiltern enters.
Mabel Chiltern. Everybody is talking about Mrs. Cheveley! I have a great
desire for food. Lord Arthur Goring, will you offer me something to eat?
Lord Arthur Goring. With pleasure, Miss Mabel.
He moves away with her.
Mabel Chiltern. How horrid you have been! You should have followed me!
Lord Arthur Goring. You preferred music to my company.
Mabel Chiltern. I dont think I like you at all this evening!
Lord Arthur Goring. On the contrary, I like you immensely.
Mabel Chiltern. Well, I wish you would show it in a more evident way!
They exit.
SCENE 4
Sir Robert Chiltern, Mrs Cheveley.
Sir Robert Chiltern and Mrs. Cheveley enter.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Are you going to any of our country houses before you
leave England, Mrs. Cheveley?
Mrs. Cheveley. My stay in England really depends on you, Sir Robert.
11
 She sits down again on the sofa.
Sir Robert Chiltern (taking a seat beside her). Seriously?
Mrs. Cheveley. Quite seriously. I want to talk to you about a great political
and financial project, about the Argentine Canal Company, in fact.
Sir Robert Chiltern. What a tedious, practical subject for you to talk about,
Mrs. Cheveley!
Mrs. Cheveley. Oh, I like tedious, practical subjects. What I dont like are
tedious, practical people. Besides, you are interested, I know, in International
Canal projects. As, for example, the Suez Canal.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Yes. But the Suez Canal was a very great and splendid
undertaking. This Argentine project is a well and good stock exchange
swindle.
Mrs. Cheveley. A brilliant, daring speculation.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Believe me, Mrs. Cheveley, it is a fraud. Let us call
things by their proper names. It makes matters simpler. I hope you have not
invested in it. I am sure you are far too clever to have done that.
Mrs. Cheveley. On the contrary, I have invested very largely in it.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Who could have advised you to do such a thing?
Mrs. Cheveley. Your old friend yours and mine.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Who?
Mrs. Cheveley. Baron Arnheim.
Sir Robert Chiltern (rising). Lets leave these subjects and let me show you
the music-room.
Mrs. Cheveley (shaking her head). I want to talk business.
She motions to him with her fan to sit down again beside her.
12
Sir Robert Chiltern. I fear I have no advice to give you, Mrs. Cheveley,
except to interest yourself in something less dangerous. The success of the
Canal depends, of course, on the attitude of England, and I am going to lay
the report of the Commissioners before the House tomorrow evening.
Mrs. Cheveley. You must not do that. For your own interests, Sir Robert, to
say nothing of mine, you must not do that.
Sir Robert Chiltern (looking at her in wonder). For my own interests? My
dear Mrs. Cheveley, what do you mean?
He sits down beside her.
Mrs. Cheveley. Sir Robert, I will be quite frank with you. I want you to say to
the House that you have reason to believe that the Canal, once completed,
will be of great international value. Will you do that for me?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Mrs. Cheveley, you cannot be serious in making me
such a proposition!
Mrs. Cheveley. I am quite serious. (With emphasis.) And, if you do what I ask
you, I... will pay you very well!
Sir Robert Chiltern. Pay me!
Mrs. Cheveley (with extreme self-confidence). My dear Sir Robert, you are
a man of the world, and you have your price, I suppose. Everybody has
nowadays.
Sir Robert Chiltern (rises indignantly). If you will allow me, I will call your
carriage for you. You have lived so long abroad, Mrs. Cheveley, that you
seem unable to realise that you are talking to an English gentleman.
Mrs. Cheveley (detains him by touching his arm with her fan, and keeping it
there while she is talking). I realise that I am talking to a man who laid the
foundation of his fortune by selling to a stock exchange speculator a Cabinet
secret.
Sir Robert Chiltern. What do you mean?
13
Mrs. Cheveley (rising and facing him). I mean that I know the real origin of
your wealth and your career, and I have got your letter, too.
Sir Robert Chiltern. What letter?
Mrs. Cheveley (contemptuously). The letter you wrote to Baron Arnheim,
when you were Lord Radleys secretary, suggesting the Baron to buy Suez
Canal shares... a letter written three days before the Government announced
its own purchase.
Sir Robert Chiltern (hoarsely). It is not true.
Mrs. Cheveley. You thought that letter had been destroyed. How foolish of
you! It is in my possession.
Sir Robert Chiltern. The affair was no more than a speculation.
Mrs. Cheveley. It was a fraud, Sir Robert. Let us call things by their proper
names. It makes everything simpler. Now I am going to sell you that letter,
and the price I ask for it is your public support of the Argentine project. You
made your own fortune out of one canal. Now you must help me and my
friends to make our fortunes out of another!
Sir Robert Chiltern. It is disgraceful, what you propose... disgraceful!
Mrs. Cheveley. Oh, no! This is the game of life as we all have to play it, Sir
Robert, sooner or later!
Sir Robert Chiltern. What you ask is impossible.
Mrs. Cheveley. You are going to make it possible, I have no doubts. Suppose
that when I leave this house I drive down to some newspaper office, and give
them this scandal and the proof of it! They will drag you down.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Stop! (In a low voice.) I will give you any sum of money
you want.
Mrs. Cheveley. Even you are not rich enough, Sir Robert, to buy back your
past. No man is.
14
Sir Robert Chiltern. Let me have time to consider your proposal.
Mrs. Cheveley. No; you must decide now!
Sir Robert Chiltern. Give me a week... three days!
Mrs. Cheveley. Impossible! I have got to send a telegraph to Vienna tonight.
Sir Robert Chiltern. My God! what brought you into my life?
Mrs. Cheveley. Circumstances.
She moves towards the door.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Dont go. I accept. The report shall be withdrawn. I will
arrange for a question to be put to me on the subject.
Mrs. Cheveley. Thank you. And now you can call my carriage for me, Sir
Robert.
Sir Robert Chiltern exits.
SCENE 5
Mrs. Cheveley, Lady Gertrude Chiltern, Sir Robert Chiltern, Lord Arthur
Goring, Mabel Chiltern. Lady Gertrude Chiltern enters.
Mrs. Cheveley. What a charming house you have, Lady Chiltern! I have
spent a delightful evening. It has been so interesting getting to know your
husband.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Why did you wish to meet my husband, Mrs.
Cheveley?
Mrs. Cheveley. Oh, I will tell you. I wanted to interest him in the Argentine
Canal project, of which I am sure you have heard. I converted him in ten
minutes.
15
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. There must be some mistake. That scheme could
never have my husbands support.
Mrs. Cheveley. Oh, I assure you its all settled. But, of course, for the next
twenty-four hours the whole thing is a big secret.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (gently). A secret? Between whom?
Mrs. Cheveley (with a flash of amusement in her eyes). Between your
husband and myself.
Sir Robert Chiltern, Lord Arthur Goring and Mabel Chiltern enter.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Your carriage is here, Mrs Cheveley!
Mrs. Cheveley. Thanks! Good evening, Lady Chiltern! Good-night, Lord
Arthur Goring! I am at Claridges. Dont you want to give me your card?
Lord Arthur Goring. If you wish, Mrs. Cheveley!
Mrs. Cheveley. Oh, dont be so solemn about it, or I shall be obliged to give
my card to you. Will you accompany me downstairs, Robert? Now that we
have both the same interests at heart we will be great friends, I hope!
She exits proudly on Sir Robert Chilterns arm.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern looks at them as they exit.
Her expression is troubled. She exits too.
Mabel Chiltern. What a horrible woman!
Lord Arthur Goring. You should go to bed, Miss Mabel.
Mabel Chiltern. Lord Goring!
Lord Arthur Goring. My father told me to go to bed an hour ago. I dont see
why I shouldnt give you the same advice. I always pass on good advice. It is
the only thing to do with it. It is never of any use to oneself.
Mabel Chiltern. Lord Goring, I am not going to bed for several hours. (She
sits on the sofa, catches sight of something that is lying on the sofa half hidden
16
by a cushion.) What is this? Some one has dropped a diamond brooch!
Quite beautiful, isnt it? (Shows it to him.) I wish it were mine, but Gertrude
wont let me wear anything but pearls.
Lord Arthur Goring takes it from her, and, pulling out a letter-case, puts the
ornament in it, then places it in his breast-pocket with perfect care.
Mabel Chiltern. What are you doing?
Lord Arthur Goring. Miss Mabel, I am going to make a rather strange
request to you.
Mabel Chiltern (eagerly). Oh, please do! I have been waiting for it all evening.
Lord Arthur Goring (a little taken aback, but recovering himself
immediately). Dont mention to anybody that I have this brooch. If any one
should write and claim it, let me know at once.
Mabel Chiltern. That is a strange request.
Lord Arthur Goring. Well, you see I gave this brooch to somebody once,
years ago.
Mabel Chiltern. You did?
Lord Arthur Goring. Yes.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern enters alone.
Mabel Chiltern. Then I shall certainly wish you good-night. Goodnight,
Gertrude!
She exits.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Good-night, my dear!
Lord Arthur Goring (to Lady Gertrude). Splendid as usual. I shall go to bed
too. Good-night.
He kisses her hand.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Good-night!
17
 SCENE 6
Lady Gertrude Chiltern, Sir Robert Chiltern.
Sir Robert Chiltern enters.
Sir Robert Chiltern. How beautiful you look to-night, Gertrude!
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert, it is not true, is it? You are not going to
give your support to this Argentine speculation are you? You couldnt!
Sir Robert Chiltern (surprised). Who told you I intended to do so?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Mrs. Cheveley. She seemed to laugh at me with it.
Robert, I know that woman. We were at school together. She is untruthful,
dishonest. I despised and hated her. She was sent away from school for
stealing. Why do you let her influence you?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Gertrude, it happened many years ago. It is best
forgotten! Mrs. Cheveley may have changed since then. No one should be
entirely judged only by their past.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (sadly). Ones past is what one is. It is the only way
by which people should be judged.
Sir Robert Chiltern. That is a severe opinion, Gertrude!
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. But it is true, Robert. She told me that tomorrow
you will support the most dishonest and fraudulent scheme there has ever
been in political life?
Sir Robert Chiltern (biting his lip). I was mistaken in the view I took. We all
may make mistakes. Besides, Gertrude, public and private life are different
things.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. They should both represent man at his highest. I
see no difference between them.
Sir Robert Chiltern (stopping). In the present case, on a matter of practical
politics, I have changed my mind. That is all.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. All!
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Sir Robert Chiltern (sternly). Yes!
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert! Oh, it is horrible that I should have to ask
you such a question... Robert, are you telling me the whole truth?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Why do you ask me such a question?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (after a pause). Why do you not answer it?
Sir Robert Chiltern (sitting down). Gertrude, truth is a very complex thing,
and politics is a very complex business. Sooner or later in political life one
has to compromise.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Compromise? Robert, why do you talk so strange
tonight? Why have you changed?
Sir Robert Chiltern. I have not changed. But circumstances alter things.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Circumstances should never alter principles!
Sir Robert Chiltern. But if I told you...
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. What?
Sir Robert Chiltern. That it was necessary, absolutely necessary?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. It can never be necessary to do what is not
honourable. What would you gain? Money? We have no need of that! Power?
But power is nothing in itself. It is power to do good that is fine that, and
that only. Robert, tell me why you are going to do this dishonourable thing?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Gertrude, I told you it was a question of rational
compromise. It is no more than that.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert, all your life you have stood apart from
others. You have never let the world dirty you. To the world, as to myself,
you have always been an ideal. Oh! Still be that ideal. Dont throw away that
precious inheritance!
Sir Robert Chiltern. Gertrude!
19
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. I know that there are men who hide horrible secrets
in their lives... Oh! dont tell me you are one of them! Robert, is there in your
life any secret dishonour or disgrace? Tell me, tell me at once, so that...
Sir Robert Chiltern. So that what?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (speaking very slowly). So that our lives may separate.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Separate?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Entirely separate. It would be better for us both.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Gertrude, there is nothing in my past life that you might
not know.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. I was sure of it, Robert. I was sure of it. You must
write to her at once, now!
Sir Robert Chiltern. Write now! It is almost midnight.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. That doesnt matter. She must know at once that
she has been mistaken in you. Write her immediately, Robert.
Sir Robert sits down and writes.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Write that you refuse to support this project of hers, as
you believe it to be a dishonest project. Yes... write the word dishonest. I feel
that tonight I have saved you from something that would make men honour
you less than they do now. I dont think you realise sufficiently, Robert, that you
have brought into the political life of our time a nobler atmosphere, purer aims
and higher ideals... I know it, and for that I love you, Robert.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Oh, love me always, Gertrude, love me always!
Lady Geltrude Chiltern. I will love you always, because you will always be
worthy of love.
She kisses him and goes out with the letter.
Sir Robert looks at her as she goes away and then buries his face in his hands.
20
ACT II
Morning-room in Sir Robert Chilterns House.
SCENE 1
Sir Robert Chiltern, Lord Arthur Goring.
Lord Arthur Goring, dressed in the height of fashion, is lounging in an
armchair. Sir Robert Chiltern is standing in front of the fireplace. He is
evidently in a state of great mental excitement and distress. As the scene
progresses he paces nervously up and down the room.
Lord Arthur Goring. My dear Robert. You should have told your wife
the whole thing. Women have a wonderful instinct about things. They can
discover everything except the obvious.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Arthur, I couldnt tell my wife. It would have separated
us for life, and I would have lost the love of the one woman in the world I
worship, of the only woman who has ever made me feel love.
Lord Arthur Goring. I should like to have a serious talk about life with Lady
Chiltern.
Sir Robert Chiltern. It would be quite useless.
Lord Arthur Goring. May I try at least?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Yes; but nothing will make her alter her views.
Lord Arthur Goring. Well, at the worst it would simply be a psychological
experiment.
Sir Robert Chiltern. All such experiments are terribly dangerous.
Lord Arthur Goring. Everything is dangerous, my dear man. If it wasnt
so, life wouldnt be worth living... Well, I am bound to say that I think you
should have told her years ago.
Sir Robert Chiltern. When? When we were engaged? Do you think she
would have married me if she had known everything. But, after all, whom
did I hurt by what I did? No one.
21
Lord Arthur Goring (looking at him steadily). No one except yourself,
Robert.
Sir Robert Chiltern (pacing up and down the room). Arthur, do you think
right to destroy the career of a man for a misdeed committed when he was
still a boy? I was twenty-two at the time. Is it fair, Arthur?
Lord Arthur Goring. Life is never fair, Robert. And perhaps it is a good
thing for most of us that it is not.
Sir Robert Chiltern. The God of this century is money. To succeed one must
be rich.
Lord Arthur Goring. You underestimate yourself, Robert. Believe me,
without wealth you could have succeeded just as well.
Sir Robert Chiltern. When I became old, perhaps. I wanted my success when
I was young. I couldnt wait.
Lord Arthur Goring. No one in our day has had such a brilliant success.
Sir Robert Chiltern. And if it is all taken away from me now?
Lord Arthur Goring. Robert, how could you have sold yourself for money?
Sir Robert Chiltern (excitedly). I did not sell myself for money. I bought
success at a great price. That is all.
Lord Arthur Goring (gravely). Yes, you certainly paid a great price for it.
But what first made you think of doing such a thing?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Baron Arnheim.
Lord Arthur Goring. Damned scoundrel!
Sir Robert Chiltern. No; he was a man of culture, charm, and distinction.
One of the most intellectual men I ever met.
Lord Arthur Goring. Ah! I prefer a fool gentleman any day. But how did he
do it? Tell me the whole thing.
22
Sir Robert Chiltern (throws himself into an armchair by the writing-table).
One night after dinner the Baron began talking about success in modern
life as something that one could reduce to an absolutely definite science.
He understood that I was completely captivated by his words and by his
philosophy of power and some days afterwards he wrote and asked me to
come and see him. I remember his words so well that luxury was nothing but
a background, and that power over other men, power over the world, was
the one thing worth having.
Lord Arthur Goring (with great deliberation). A completely shallow doctrine.
Sir Robert Chiltern (rising). I didnt think so then. Wealth has given me
enormous power. It gave me, at the start of my life, freedom, and freedom is
everything. You have never been poor, and never known what ambition is.
You cannot understand what a wonderful chance the Baron gave me. Few
men get such a chance.
Lord Arthur Goring. Fortunately for them, if one is to judge by results. But
tell me the rest.
Sir Robert Chiltern. He said to me that if I ever could give him any private
information of real value, he would make me a very rich man. Six weeks
later certain private documents passed through my hands.
Lord Arthur Goring (keeping his eyes steadily fixed on the carpet). State
documents?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Yes.
Lord Arthur Goring sighs,
then passes his hand across his forehead and looks up.
Lord Arthur Goring. I had no idea that you, of all men in the world, could
have been so weak, Robert.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Weak? Oh, I am tired of hearing this word. Tired of
hearing it used and to use it. Weak? But to satisfy certain temptations one
requires immense strength, dear Goring! One decide ones life in an instant!
One requires courage, frightening courage!
23
Lord Arthur Goring. But tell me, Robert, did you never suffer any regret for
what you did?
Sir Robert Chiltern. No. I thought that I had fought the enemy with its own
weapons, and won.
Lord Arthur Goring (sadly). Did you think you had won?
Sir Robert Chiltern. I thought so. (After a long pause.) Arthur, do you
despise me for what I have told you?
Lord Arthur Goring (with deep feeling in his voice). I am very sorry for you,
Robert.
Sir Robert Chiltern. I didnt suffer any remorse but since then I have given
to public charities the money the Baron gave to me.
Lord Arthur Goring (looking up). Public charities? You must have a very
dirty conscience.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Oh, dont say that, Arthur; dont talk like that!
Lord Arthur Goring. Never mind what I say, Robert! I will help you in any
way I can. Of course you know that.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Thank you, Arthur, thank you. But what can we do
now?
Lord Arthur Goring (leaning back with his hands in his pockets). Well, the
English like a man who admits that he has done wrong. It is one of the best
things in them. However, in your case, Robert, a confession would not be
proper. It would ruin you.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Arthur, the only thing for me to do now is to fight until
the end.
Lord Arthur Goring (rising). I was waiting for you to say that, Robert. And
you must begin by telling your wife the whole story.
Sir Robert Chiltern. No, that I will not do.
24
Lord Arthur Goring. Robert, believe me, you are wrong.
Sir Robert Chiltern. I couldnt do it. You should rather tell me how I can
defend myself against that Mrs Cheveley? You knew her well, didnt you?
Lord Arthur Goring (arranging his necktie). So little that I got engaged to be
married to her once. The affair lasted for three days... nearly.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Why did you break the engagement?
Lord Arthur Goring (airily). Oh, I forget. At least, it is not important. By the
way, have you tried to offer her money? She used to be very fond of money.
Sir Robert Chiltern. She refused.
Lord Arthur Goring. The rich cant do everything, after all.
Sir Robert Chiltern. I suppose you are right. Arthur, I feel that public
disgrace is the future for me. I feel certain of it. I never knew what terror
was before. I know it now.
Lord Arthur Goring (striking the table). Robert, you must fight her. You
must fight her.
Sir Robert Chiltern. But how?
Lord Arthur Goring. I cant tell you how at present. But every one has some
weak point.
Sir Robert Chiltern. In defending myself against Mrs. Cheveley, I have a
right to use any weapon I can find, have I not?
Lord Arthur Goring. In your place I dont think I should have the smallest
scruple. She is completely well able to take care of herself.
Sir Robert Chiltern (sits down at the table and takes a pen in his hand).
Well, I shall send a telegram to the Embassy at Vienna, to inquire if there is
anything known against her. I will fight her to the death, as long as my wife
knows nothing.
25
Lord Arthur Goring (strongly). Oh, fight in any case... in any case.
Sir Robert Chiltern (with a gesture of despair). If my wife found out, there
would be little left to fight for. Well, as soon as I hear from Vienna, I shall let
you know the result.
SCENE 2
Lord Arthur Goring, Sir Robert Chiltern, Lady Gertrude Chiltern, Mabel Chiltern.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern enters in walking dress.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Good evening, Lord Arthur Goring!
Lord Arthur Goring. Good evening, Lady Chiltern! Have you been in the
Park?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. No, I have just come from the Womans Liberal
Association, where, by the way, Robert, your name was received with loud
applause, and now I have come in to have my tea. (To Lord Arthur Goring.)
You will stay and have some tea, wont you?
Lord Arthur Goring. Ill stay for a short time, thanks.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. I will be back in a moment. I am only going to take
my hat off.
Lord Arthur Goring (in his most earnest manner). Oh, please dont. It is
so pretty. One of the prettiest hats I have ever seen. I hope the Womans
Liberal Association received it with loud applause.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (with a smile). We have much more important work
to do than look at bonnets, Lord Arthur Goring.
Lord Arthur Goring. Really? What sort of work?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Oh, dull, useful, delightful things, Factory Acts,
Female Inspectors, the Eight Hours Bill, the Parliamentary Franchise...
Everything, in fact, that you would find completely uninteresting.
26
Lord Arthur Goring. And never bonnets?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (with mock indignation). Never bonnets, never!
Lady Gertrude Chiltern exits through the door leading to her boudoir.
Sir Robert Chiltern (takes Lord Arthur Gorings hand). You have been a
good friend to me, Arthur, a thoroughly good friend.
Lord Arthur Goring. I dont know that I have been able to do much for you,
Robert, as yet. I am thoroughly disappointed with myself.
Sir Robert Chiltern. You have enabled me to tell you the truth. That is
something. The truth has always stifled me. The great thing in life is to live
the truth. (Sighs, and goes towards the door.) Ill see you soon again, shant I?
Lord Arthur Goring. Certainly. Whenever you like.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Thank you.
As he reaches the door, Lady Gertrude Chiltern enters from her boudoir.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. You are not going, Robert?
Sir Robert Chiltern. I have some letters to write, dear.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (going to him). You work too hard, Robert. You
never seem to think of yourself, and you are looking so tired.
Sir Robert Chiltern. It is nothing, dear, nothing.
He kisses her and goes out.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (to Lord Arthur Goring). Do sit down. I am so glad
you have called. I want to talk to you... You are Roberts greatest friend. You
are our greatest friend, Lord Arthur Goring. Robert has no secrets from me,
and I dont think he has any from you.
Lord Arthur Goring. He certainly has no secrets from me. At least I dont
think so.
27
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. But speak to me frankly.
Lord Arthur Goring (looking straight at her). Quite frankly?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Surely. You have nothing to conceal, have you?
Lord Arthur Goring. Nothing. But, my dear Lady Chiltern, I think, if you
will allow me to say so, that in practical life...
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (smiling). Of which you know so little, Lord Arthur
Goring...
Lord Arthur Goring. Once a man has set his heart and soul on getting to a
certain point, if he has to climb the hill, he climbs the hill; if he has to walk in
the mud...
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Well?
Lord Arthur Goring. He walks in the mud. Of course I am only talking
generally about life.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (gravely). I hope so. Why do you look at me so
strangely, Lord Goring?
Lord Arthur Goring. Every man, for his own nature, has elements of
weakness, or worse than weakness. Supposing, for instance, that any public
man, my father, or Lord Merton, or Robert, say, had, years ago, written some
compromising letter to some one...
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. What do you mean by a compromising letter?
Lord Arthur Goring. A letter gravely compromising ones position. I am
only speaking of an imaginary case.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert is as incapable of doing a compromising
thing as he is incapable of doing a wrong thing.
Lord Arthur Goring (after a long pause). Nobody is incapable of doing a
compromising or wrong thing. Remember that it is only love, that is the true
explanation of this world. And if you are ever in trouble, Lady Chiltern, trust
me absolutely. Come at once to me.
28
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (looking at him in surprise). Lord Arthur Goring,
you are talking quite seriously.
Lord Arthur Goring (laughing). You must excuse me, Lady Chiltern. It
wont occur again, if I can help it.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. But I like you to be serious.
Mabel Chiltern enters, in the most ravishing dress.
Mabel Chiltern. Dear Gertrude, dont say such a dreadful thing to Lord
Arthur Goring. Seriousness is not for him. Good evening Lord Arthur
Goring! Pray be as trivial as you can.
Lord Arthur Goring. I should like to, Miss Mabel, but I am afraid I am... a
little out of practice this morning; and besides, I must go now.
Mabel Chiltern. Just when I have come in! What dreadful manners you
have! I am sure you were very badly brought up.
Lord Arthur Goring. I was.
Mabel Chiltern. Will you ride tomorrow morning?
Lord Arthur Goring. Yes, at ten.
Mabel Chiltern. Dont forget.
Lord Arthur Goring. Of course I shant. Goodbye.
Mabel Chiltern. I will accompany you, Lord Goring.
They go out, then Mabel Chiltern comes running back.
Mabel Chiltern. Oh, Gertrude, do you know who is coming to see you? That
dreadful Mrs. Cheveley, in a most lovely gown. Did you ask her?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (rising). Mrs. Cheveley! Coming here? Impossible!
29
Mabel Chiltern. I assure you she is coming up the stairs. She is very self-
confident.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. You need not wait, Mabel. Tell please to Mason to
let her in.
Mabel Chiltern goes out.
SCENE 3
Lady Gertrude Chiltern, Mrs. Cheveley, Sir Robert Chiltern.
Mrs. Cheveley enters.
Mrs. Cheveley. Good morning, Mrs. Chiltern.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern makes no answer, but remains standing.
Lady Chiltern looks stern and pale. Mrs. Cheveley seem rather amused.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Mrs. Cheveley, I think it is right to tell you quite
frankly that, if I had known who you really were, I would not have invited
you to my house last night.
Mrs. Cheveley (with an impertinent smile). Really?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. I could not have done so.
Mrs. Cheveley. I see that after all these years you have not changed a bit,
Gertrude.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. I never change.
Mrs. Cheveley (elevating her eyebrows). Then life has taught you nothing?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. It has taught me that a person who has once been
guilty of a dishonest and dishonourable action may be guilty of it a second
time, and should be avoided.
30
Mrs. Cheveley. Would you apply that rule to every one?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Yes, to everyone, without exception.
Mrs. Cheveley. Then I am sorry for you, Gertrude, very sorry for you.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. You see now, I was sure, that for many reasons any
further meeting between us during your stay in London is quite impossible.
Mrs. Cheveley (leaning back in her chair). You dislike me. I am quite aware
of that. And I have always detested you. And yet I have come here to do you
a service.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (contemptuously). Like the service you wished to
give my husband last night, I suppose. Thank heaven, I saved him from that.
Mrs. Cheveley (starting to her feet). It was you who made him write that
insolent letter to me, then? It was you who made him break his promise.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Yes.
Mrs. Cheveley. Then you must make him keep it. I give you till tomorrow
morning... no more. I hold your husband in the palm of my hand, and if you
are wise you will make him do what I told him.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (rising and going towards her). You are impertinent.
What has my husband to do with you? With a woman like you?
Mrs. Cheveley (with a bitter laugh). In this world like meets with like. It is
because your husband is himself a fraudulent and dishonest person that we
go so well together.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. How dare you match my husband with yourself?
Leave my house. You are unfit to enter it.
Sir Robert Chiltern enters from behind. He hears his wifes last words, and
sees to whom they are addressed. He grows deadly pale.
31
Mrs. Cheveley. Your house! A house bought with the money of dishonour.
A house, everything in which has been paid for by fraud. (Turns round and
sees Sir Robert Chiltern.) Ask him what the origin of his fortune is! Get him
to tell you how he sold to a stockbroker a Cabinet secret. Learn from him to
what you owe your position.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. It is not true! Robert! It is not true!
Mrs. Cheveley (pointing at him with outstretched finger). Look at him! Can
he deny it?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Go! Go at once. You have done your worst now.
Sir Robert Chiltern. There was your mistake. Love should forgive all sins,
except a sin against itself. You made a false idol of me, and I had not the
courage to come down, show you my wounds, tell you my weaknesses. I was
afraid that I might lose your love, as I have lost it now. What this woman
asked of me was nothing compared to what she offered to me. She offered
security, peace, stability. The sin of my youth... I could have killed it for ever,
burned the one witness against me. You prevented me... just you, you whom
I have so wildly loved... have ruined me!
He passes from the room. Lady Gertrude Chiltern rushes towards him, but
the door is closed when she reaches it. Pale with anguish flings herself down
beside a sofa and buries her face. Her sobs are like the sobs of a child.

Mrs. Cheveley. My worst? I have not yet finished with you, with either of
you. I give you both till tomorrow at noon. If by then you havent done
what I told you to do, the whole world shall know about the past of Robert
Chiltern.

She exits.

Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Oh, tell me it is not true! Lie to me! Lie to me! Tell
me it is not true!

Sir Robert Chiltern. What this woman said is quite true. But, Gertrude, listen
to me. Let me tell you the whole thing.

He goes towards her.

Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Dont come near me. Dont touch me. I feel as if
you had dirtied me for ever. You lied to the whole world. And yet you will
not lie to me.

Sir Robert Chiltern (rushing towards her). Gertrude! Gertrude!

Lady Gertrude Chiltern (thrusting him back with outstretched hands). No,
dont speak! Say nothing! You were to me something apart from common
life; a thing pure, noble and honest, without a stain. The world seemed to me
finer because you were in it, and goodness more real because you lived. And
now... oh, when I think that I made you my ideal! The ideal of my life!

32 33
 ACT III Earl of Caversham. Thank you. No cold air, I hope, in this room?

Lord Arthur Goring. No, father.

SCENE 1
Earl of Caversham (sitting down). I want to have a serious conversation with
Lord Arthur Goring, the Earl of Caversham. you, sir.
The Library of Lord Arthur Gorings House. Lord Arthur Goring enters in
evening dress. Standing in front of the mirror he attaches a buttonhole to his jacket. Lord Arthur Goring. My dear father! At this hour?
He passes in front of the table and sees a pink letter.
Earl of Caversham. Well, sir, it is only ten oclock. What is your objection?
Lord Arthur Goring. Lady Gertrude Chiltern? That is rather curious. I
thought Robert was going to write. (Sits at bureau and opens letter, and reads Lord Arthur Goring. Well, the fact is, father, this is not my day for talking
seriously.
it.) I need you. I trust you. I am coming to you. Gertrude. (Puts down the
letter with a puzzled look. Then takes it up, and reads it again slowly.) I need
Earl of Caversham. What do you mean, sir?
you. I trust you. I am coming to you. So she has found out everything! Poor
woman! Poor woman! (Pulls out his watch and looks at it.) But what an hour
Lord Arthur Goring. During the season, I only talk seriously on the first
to call! Ten oclock! Well, I will make her stand by her husband. That is the
Tuesday in every month father, from four to seven.
only thing for her to do. She should be here soon. I must tell Phipps I am not
at home to see anyone else.
Earl of Caversham. Well, make it Tuesday.
Voice of Phipps (announcing). The Earl of Caversham.
Lord Arthur Goring. But it is after seven, father, and my doctor says I must
not have any serious conversation after seven. It makes me talk in my sleep.
Lord Arthur Goring. Oh, why will parents always appear at the wrong time?
Earl of Caversham. Talk in your sleep, sir? What does that matter? You are
The Earl of Caversham enters. not married.

Lord Arthur Goring. Delighted to see you, my dear father. Lord Arthur Goring. No, father, I am not married.

He goes to meet him. Earl of Caversham. Hum! That is what I have come to talk to you about, sir.
You have got to get married, and at once. Damn you, sir, it is your duty to
Earl of Caversham. Take my cloak off. get married. You cant be always living for pleasure. Look what your friend
Robert Chiltern has achieved by probity, hard work, and a sensible marriage
Lord Arthur Goring. Is it worth while, father? with a good woman. Why dont you imitate him, sir? Why dont you take him
as your model?
Earl of Caversham. Of course it is worth while, sir. Which is the most
comfortable chair? Lord Arthur Goring. I think I shall, father.

Lord Arthur Goring. This one, father. Earl of Caversham. I wish you would. I feel cold air, I feel it distinctly.

34 35
Lord Arthur Goring. So do I, father. It is terribly cold air. I will come and
see you tomorrow, father. We can talk over anything you like. Let me help
you on with your cloak, father.
Earl of Caversham. No, sir, I have called this evening for a purpose, and I am
going to see it through at all costs to my health or yours. Put down my cloak, sir.
Lord Arthur Goring. Certainly, father. But let us go into the smoking room,
father. Your sneezes break my heart.
Earl of Caversham. Well, sir, I suppose I have a right to sneeze when I choose?
Lord Arthur Goring (apologetically). Quite so, father, quite so.
The Earl of Caversham goes off grumbling into the smoking-room.
Lord Arthur Goring (to himself). I might go to say to my butler to show Mrs.
Chiltern into the drawing-room when she arrives. And not to admit anyone
else, under any circumstances.
He exits for an instant. The Earl of Caversham enters from the smoking room.
Earl of Caversham. Well, sir? Am I to wait for you?
Lord Arthur Goring (considerably perplexed, enters back). Do excuse me, father.
SCENE 2
Mrs. Cheveley, Lord Arthur Goring, the Earl of Caversham, Sir Robert Chiltern.
Mrs. Cheveley enters.
Mrs. Cheveley (to herself). The butler told me that Lord Goring was
expecting me. How thoughtful of him! To expect the unexpected shows a
truly modern intellect. (Goes towards the drawing-room and looks in.) Ugh,
how dull a bachelors drawing room looks. I shall have to alter all this. (Goes
to the table.) Let me see (Takes up letters.) Bills and cards, debts and old
women! Who on earth writes to him on pink paper? How silly to write on
pink paper! A letter from Gertrude Chiltern. (Looks around and then reads
it.) I trust you. I need you. I am coming to you. Gertrude.
36
A look of triumph comes over her face. She is just about to steal the letter,
when hears voices growing. Mrs. Cheveley grows pale, and stops.
The voices grow louder, and she goes into the drawingroom.
Lord Arthur Goring and the Earl of Caversham enter.
Lord Arthur Goring (expostulating). My dear father, if I am to get married,
surely you will allow me to choose the time, place, and person? Particularly
the person.
Earl of Caversham (testily). That is a matter for me, sir. You would probably
make a very poor choice. There is property at stake. It is not a matter for
affection. Affection comes later on in a marriage.
Lord Arthur Goring. Yes, in married life affection comes when people
thoroughly dislike each other, father, doesnt it?
Puts on the Earl of Cavershams cloak for him.
Earl of Caversham. Certainly, sir. I mean certainly not, sir. You are talking
very foolishly tonight. What I say is that marriage is a matter for common
sense.
Lord Arthur Goring. Let us continue this conversation tomorrow.
Goes out for a moment with the Earl of Caversham.
Mrs. Cheveley returns, checks that nobody is nearby and slowly approaches
the table. She hears the steps and goes back into the room.
Lord Arthur Goring returns, looking rather annoyed, with Sir Robert Chiltern.
Sir Robert Chiltern. My friend, I must talk to you. My wife has discovered
everything.
Lord Arthur Goring. Ah, I guessed as much!
Sir Robert Chiltern (looking at him). Really! How?
Lord Arthur Goring (after some hesitation). Oh, simply by something in the
expression of your face as you came in. Who told her?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Mrs. Cheveley herself.
37
Lord Arthur Goring (after a pause). Do you have any news about her?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Absolutely nothing is known against her. On the
contrary, she occupies a rather high position in society. I dont know what to
do, Arthur, you are my only friend. I can trust you absolutely, cant I?
Lord Arthur Goring. My dear Robert, of course. (To himself.) Phipps
informed me that Mrs. Chiltern is in that room. What a mess I am in. Come
one, lets try to get through it. Ill give her a lecture through the door.
Although it will be an awkward thing to do.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Arthur, tell me what I should do. My life seems to have
fallen around me.
Lord Arthur Goring. Robert, you love your wife, dont you?
Sir Robert Chiltern. I love her more than anything else in the world. I used
to think ambition was the great thing. It is not. There is nothing but love. But
now there is a wide space between us.
Lord Arthur Goring. Has she never in her life done something wrong...
some indiscretion... that she should not forgive your sin?
Sir Robert Chiltern. My wife! Never! She does not know what weakness or
temptation is... she is pitiless in her perfection.
Lord Arthur Goring. Your wife will forgive you. Perhaps at this moment she
is forgiving you. She loves you, Robert.
Sir Robert Chiltern. God grant it! God grant it! (Buries his face in his
hands.) But there is something more I have to tell you, Arthur I have
made up my mind what I am going to say tonight in the House.
A chair falls in the drawing-room.
Sir Robert Chiltern. What is that?
Lord Arthur Goring. Nothing.
38
Sir Robert Chiltern. I heard a chair fall in the next room. Someone has been
listening.
Lord Arthur Goring. Robert, you are excited, mad. I tell you there is no one
in that room. Sit down, Robert.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Do you give me your word of honour that there is no
one there?
Lord Arthur Goring. Yes.
He sits.
Sir Robert Chiltern (rises). Arthur, let me see for myself.
Lord Arthur Goring. For Gods sake, dont! There is some one there. Some
one whom you must not see.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Stand back. My life is at stake.
He enters the room.
Lord Arthur Goring. Great heavens! His own wife!
Sir Robert Chiltern comes back, with a look of scorn and anger on his face.
Sir Robert Chiltern. What explanation have you to give me for the presence
of that woman here?
Lord Arthur Goring. Robert, I swear to you on my honour that this lady is
stainless and guiltless of all offence towards you.
Sir Robert Chiltern. She is a poisonous, and horrible thing!
Lord Arthur Goring. Dont say that, Robert! It was for your sake that she
came here.
Sir Robert Chiltern. You are mad. What have I to do with her business with
you? You are well suited to each other. She is corrupt, shameful... you, false,
treacherous.
39
Lord Arthur Goring. It is not true, Robert. I give you my word.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Let me pass, sir. You have lied enough upon your word
of honour.
Sir Robert Chiltern goes out.
SCENE 3
Lord Arthur Goring, Mrs. Cheveley.
Lord Arthur Goring rushes to the door of the drawing-room, when Mrs.
Cheveley comes out, looking radiant and much amused.
Mrs. Cheveley (with a mock curtsey). Good evening, Lord Goring!
Lord Arthur Goring. Mrs. Cheveley! Great heavens!... May I ask what you
were doing in my drawing-room?
Mrs. Cheveley. Merely listening.
She makes a sign to him to take her cloak off, which he does.
Lord Arthur Goring. I am glad you have called. I am going to give you some
good advice.
Mrs. Cheveley. Oh, no, pray dont. One should never give a woman anything
that she cant wear in the evening.
Lord Arthur Goring. I see you are quite as wilful as you used to be.
Mrs. Cheveley. Oh, no, far more! I have greatly improved. I have had more
experience.
Lord Arthur Goring. Too much experience is a dangerous thing. You have
come here to sell me Robert Chilterns letter, havent you?
Mrs. Cheveley. To offer it to you on conditions. How did you guess that?
Lord Arthur Goring. Because you havent mentioned the subject. Have you
got it with you?
40
Mrs. Cheveley (sitting down). Oh, no! A well-made dress has no pockets.
Lord Arthur Goring. What is your price for it?
Mrs. Cheveley. How absurdly English you are! Money is not what I want.
Lord Arthur Goring. What do you want then, Mrs. Cheveley?
Mrs. Cheveley motions to him to sit down beside her. He smiles, and does so.
Mrs. Cheveley. Arthur, you loved me once.
Lord Arthur Goring. Yes.
Mrs. Cheveley. And you asked me to be your wife.
Lord Arthur Goring. That was the natural result of my loving you.
Mrs. Cheveley. And then you discarded me.
Lord Arthur Goring. You pretended to love me, because I was rich.
Mrs. Cheveley. I loved you, Arthur.
Lord Arthur Goring. My dear Mrs. Cheveley, you have always been far too
clever to know anything about love.
Mrs. Cheveley. I did love you.
She puts her hand on his. He removes his hand.
Mrs. Cheveley. I am tired of living abroad. I want to come back to London.
When I saw you last night at the Chilterns, I knew you were the only person
I had ever cared for, if I ever have cared for anybody, Arthur. And so, on the
morning of the day you marry me, I will give you Robert Chilterns letter.
That is my offer.
Lord Arthur Goring. Are you really serious?
Mrs. Cheveley. Yes, quite serious.
41
Lord Arthur Goring. I would be a very bad husband for you. Lord Arthur Goring. I found it myself. (Goes over to the writing-table and
pulls out the drawer.) This is the brooch, isnt it?
Mrs. Cheveley. I dont mind bad husbands. I have had two. They amused me
immensely. He holds up the brooch.

Lord Arthur Goring. I cannot do this. Mrs. Cheveley. Yes. I am so glad to get it back. It was a present.

Mrs. Cheveley (after a pause). I thought you would have risen to some Lord Arthur Goring. Wont you wear it?
great height of self-sacrifice, Arthur.
Mrs. Cheveley. Certainly, if you pin it on.
Lord Arthur Goring. Oh! I do that as it is. Self-sacrifice is a thing that should
be prohibited by law. It is so demoralising to the people for whom one Lord Arthur Goring suddenly clasps it on her arm.
sacrifices oneself. They always go to the bad.
Mrs. Cheveley. I never knew it could be worn as a bracelet.
Mrs. Cheveley. For the privilege of being your wife I was ready to surrender
a great prize: the climax of my diplomatic career. You declined. Very well. If Lord Arthur Goring. Really?
Sir Robert doesnt support my Argentine project, I shall expose him. Voil
tout.
Mrs. Cheveley (holding out her handsome arm). No; but it looks very well on
me as a bracelet, doesnt it?
She raises up.
Lord Arthur Goring. It looked well even on my cousin, ten years ago.
Lord Arthur Goring. You mustnt do that. It would be vile, horrible,
infamous.
Mrs. Cheveley (starting). What do you mean?
Mrs. Cheveley (shrugging her shoulders). Oh, dont use big words. They
mean so little. There is no more to be said. I must go. Good-bye. Wont you Lord Arthur Goring. I mean that you stole that ornament from my cousin,
shake hands? Mary Berkshire, to whom I gave it when she was married. I determined to
say nothing about it till I had found the person who stole it. I have found the
Lord Arthur Goring. With you? No. You came here tonight to talk of love thief now, and I have heard her own confession.
and at the same time you want to ruin the life of the most noble and gentle
people in the world. For that there can be no forgiveness. Mrs. Cheveley (tossing her head). I will deny the whole affair from beginning
to end.
Mrs. Cheveley. Arthur, you are unjust to me. I didnt go to laugh at Gertrude
at all. I called simply to ask whether an ornament, a jewel, that I lost Mrs. Cheveley tries to get the bracelet off her arm, but fails.
somewhere last night, had been found at the Chilterns. But she didnt let me Lord Arthur Goring looks on amused.
speak.
Lord Arthur Goring. The drawback of stealing a thing, Mrs. Cheveley, is that
Lord Arthur Goring. A diamond snake-brooch with a ruby? one never knows how wonderful the thing that one steals is.

Mrs. Cheveley. Yes. How do you know? Mrs. Cheveley. You brute! You coward!

42 43
 She tries again to unclasp the bracelet, but fails.
Lord Arthur Goring. Oh, dont use big words. They mean so little.
Mrs. Cheveley. What are you going to do?
Lord Arthur Goring. I am going to call the police.
Mrs. Cheveley (trembling). The police? What for?
Lord Arthur Goring. Tomorrow the Berkshires will prosecute you. That is
what the police are for.
Mrs. Cheveley (is now in an agony of physical terror. Her face is distorted). I
will do anything you want.
Lord Arthur Goring. Give me Robert Chilterns letter.
Mrs. Cheveley. I have not got it with me. I will give it to you tomorrow.
Lord Arthur Goring. You know you are lying. Give it to me at once.
Mrs. Cheveley pulls the letter out, and hands it to him. She is horribly pale.
Lord Arthur Goring. This is it?
Mrs. Cheveley (in a hoarse voice). Yes.
Lord Arthur Goring takes the letter, examines it, sighs, and tears it up.
Mrs. Cheveley (catches sight of Lady Chilterns letter, the cover of which is
just showing from under the blotting-book). Please get me a glass of water.
Lord Arthur Goring. Certainly.
Goes to the corner of the room and pours out a glass of water. While his back
is turned Mrs. Cheveley steals Lady Geltrude Chilterns letter. When Lord
Goring returns the glass she refuses it with a gesture.
Mrs. Cheveley. No, thank you. Will you help me on with my cloak?
44
Lord Arthur Goring. With pleasure.
He puts her cloak on.
Mrs. Cheveley. Thanks. I am never going to try to harm Robert Chiltern again.
Lord Arthur Goring. Fortunately you will not have the chance, Mrs. Cheveley.
Mrs. Cheveley. Well, if even I had the chance, I wouldnt. On the contrary, I
am going to render him a great service.
Lord Arthur Goring. I am charmed to hear it. It is a reformation.
Mrs. Cheveley. Yes. I cant tolerate such an upright gentleman, an
honourable English gentleman, being so shamefully deceived, and so
Lord Arthur Goring. Well?
Mrs. Cheveley. I find that somehow Gertrude Chilterns dying speech and
confession has strayed into my pocket.
Lord Arthur Goring. What do you mean?
Mrs. Cheveley (with a bitter note of triumph in her voice). I mean that I am
going to send Robert Chiltern the love-letter his wife wrote to you tonight.
Lord Arthur Goring. Love-letter?
Mrs. Cheveley (laughing). I need you. I trust you. I am coming to you. Gertrude.
Lord Arthur Goring rushes to the bureau and takes up the envelope,
finds is empty, and turns round.
Lord Arthur Goring. You wretched creature, must you always be stealing?
Give me back that letter. Ill take it from you by force. You shall not leave
my room till I have got it.
Mrs. Cheveley. Good-night, Lord Arthur Goring!
She runs out.
45
 ACT IV
Same as Act II.
SCENE 1
Lord Arthur Goring, the Earl of Caversham.
Lord Arthur Goring is standing by the fireplace with his hands in his pockets.
He is looking rather bored.
Lord Arthur Goring (pulls out his watch, inspects it, and rings the bell). It is a
great nuisance. I cant find any one in this house to talk to. And I am full of
interesting information.
He throws himself down into a chair, picks up a paper and begins to read it.
The Earl of Caversham enters.
Earl of Caversham. Well, sir, what are you doing here? Wasting your time as
usual, I suppose?
Lord Arthur Goring (throws down paper and rises). My dear father, when
one pays a visit it is for the purpose of wasting other peoples time, not ones
own.
Earl of Caversham. Have you been thinking of what I spoke to you about
last night?
Lord Arthur Goring. I have been thinking of nothing else.
Earl of Caversham. Are you engaged to be married yet?
Lord Arthur Goring (genially). Not yet: but I hope to be before lunchtime.
Earl of Caversham (caustically). You can have till dinner time if it would be
of any convenience to you.
Lord Arthur Goring. Thank you, but I think Id sooner be engaged before
lunch.
46
Earl of Caversham. Hmm! I never know when you are serious or not.
Lord Arthur Goring. Neither do I, father.
A pause.
Earl of Caversham. I suppose you have read The Times this morning?
Lord Arthur Goring (airily). The Times? Certainly not. I only read The
Morning Post.
Earl of Caversham. Do you mean to say you have not read The Times
leading article on Robert Chilterns career?
Lord Arthur Goring. Good heavens! No. What does it say?
Earl of Caversham. What should it say, sir? Everything complimentary, of
course. Chilterns speech last night on this Argentine Canal project was one
of the finest pieces of oratory ever delivered in the House.
Lord Arthur Goring. And did... did Chiltern support the project?
Earl of Caversham. Support it, sir? How little you know him! Why, he
denounced it completely, and the whole system of modern political finance.
This speech is the turning-point in his career, as The Times points out. You
should read this article, sir. (Opens The Times.) Sir Robert Chiltern... most
rising of our young statesmen... Brilliant orator... Unblemished career...
They will never say that of you, sir.
Lord Arthur Goring. I sincerely hope not, father. However, I am delighted
at what you tell me about Robert, completely delighted. It shows he has got
pluck.
Earl of Caversham. Why dont you try to do something useful in life?
Lord Arthur Goring. I am far too young.
Earl of Caversham. Why dont you propose to that pretty Miss Chiltern?
47
Lord Arthur Goring. I am of a very nervous disposition, especially in the
morning.
Earl of Caversham. I dont suppose there is the smallest chance of her
accepting you.
Lord Arthur Goring. I dont know what the chances are today.
Earl of Caversham. If she did accept you she would be the prettiest fool in
England.
Lord Arthur Goring. That is just what I should like to marry.
SCENE 2
Lord Arthur Goring, the Earl of Caversham. Mabel Chiltern.
Mabel Chiltern enters.
Mabel Chiltern. Oh!... How do you do, Lord Caversham? I hope Lady
Caversham is well?
Earl of Caversham. Lady Caversham is as usual.
Lord Arthur Goring. Good morning, Miss Mabel!
Mabel Chiltern (turning round with feigned surprise). Oh, are you here?
Of course you understand that after your breaking your appointment I am
never going to speak to you again.
Lord Arthur Goring. Oh, please dont say such a thing. You are the one
person in London I really like to have to listen to me.
Mabel Chiltern. Lord Arthur Goring, I never believe a single word that
either you or I say to each other.
Earl of Caversham. You are quite right, my dear, quite right... as far as he is
concerned, I mean.
48
Mabel Chiltern. Do you think you could possibly make your son behave a
little better occasionally? Just for a change.
Earl of Caversham. I regret to say, Miss Chiltern, that I have no influence at
all over my son. I wish I had. If I had, I know what I would make him do.
Mabel Chiltern. I am afraid that he has one of those terribly weak
characters that are not susceptible to influence.
Earl of Caversham. He is very heartless, very heartless.
Lord Arthur Goring. It seems to me that I am a little in the way here.
Mabel Chiltern. It is very good for you to be in the way, and to know what
people say of you behind your back.
Lord Arthur Goring. I dont at all like knowing what people say of me
behind my back. It makes me far too conceited.
Earl of Caversham. After that, my dear, I really must say good morning to you.
Mabel Chiltern. Oh, I hope you are not going to leave me all alone with
Lord Arthur Goring? Especially at such an early hour in the day.
Earl of Caversham. I am afraid I cant take him with me to Downing Street.
It is not the Prime Ministers day for seeing the unemployed.
He shakes hands with Mabel Chiltern, picks up his hat and stick, and goes out,
with a parting glare of indignation at Lord Arthur Goring.
Mabel Chiltern (picks up roses and begins to arrange them in a bowl on the
table). People who dont keep their appointments in the Park are horrid.
Lord Arthur Goring. Detestable.
Mabel Chiltern. I am glad you admit it. But I wish you wouldnt look so
pleased about it.
Lord Arthur Goring. I cant help it. I always look pleased when I am with
you.
49
Mabel Chiltern (sadly). Still, I am afraid that I must leave you.
Lord Arthur Goring. Please dont, Miss Mabel. I have something very
particular to say to you.
Mabel Chiltern (rapturously). Oh, is it a proposal?
Lord Arthur Goring (somewhat taken aback). Well, yes, it is... I am bound to
say it is.
Mabel Chiltern (with a sigh of pleasure). I am so glad! That makes the
second today.
Lord Arthur Goring (indignantly). The second? What conceited idiot has
been so impertinent to dare to propose to you before I had?
Mabel Chiltern. Tommy Trafford, of course.
Lord Arthur Goring. You didnt accept him, I hope?
Mabel Chiltern. As you didnt turn up this morning, I very nearly said yes.
Lord Arthur Goring. Oh, Mable, I love you.
Mabel Chiltern. I know. And I think you might have mentioned it before. I
am sure I have given you heaps of opportunities.
Lord Arthur Goring. Please be serious, Mabel. I have told you that I love
you. Cant you love me a little in return?
Mabel Chiltern. You silly Arthur! If you knew anything about... anything,
which you dont, you would know that I adore you. Every one in London
knows it except you.
Lord Arthur Goring catches her in his arms and kisses her.
Then, after a pause of bliss.
Lord Arthur Goring. Dear! Do you know I was terribly afraid of being
refused!
50
Mabel Chiltern (looking up at him). But who has ever refused you, Arthur?
Lord Arthur Goring (kisses her). And now I must go and see Gertrude. I
have been trying to talk to her or to Robert the whole morning.
Mabel Chiltern. Do you mean to say you didnt come here expressly to
propose to me?
Lord Arthur Goring (triumphantly). No, that was a flash of genius.
Mabel Chiltern. Your first flash of genius.
Lord Arthur Goring (with determination). My last, too.
SCENE 3
Lord Arthur Goring, Mabel Chiltern, Lady Gertrude Chiltern.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern enters.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Good morning, dear! How pretty you are looking!
Mabel Chiltern. How pale you are looking, Gertrude!
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Good morning, Lord Arthur Goring!
Lord Arthur Goring (bowing). Good morning, Lady Chiltern!
Mabel Chiltern (aside to Lord Arthur Goring). I shall be in the conservatory.
She blows a kiss to him, unobserved by Lady Gertrude Chiltern, and goes out.
Lord Arthur Goring. Lady Gertrude Chiltern, I have some very good news
to tell you. Mrs. Cheveley gave me Roberts letter last night, and I tore it up.
Robert is safe.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (sinking on the sofa). Safe! Oh, I am so glad of that!
What a good friend you are to him... to us!
51
Lord Arthur Goring. There is only one person now that could be said to be
in any danger.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Who is that?
Lord Arthur Goring (sitting down beside her). Yourself.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. I?
Lord Arthur Goring. Danger is too great a word. But I admit I have
something to tell you that may distress you. Yesterday evening you wrote
me a very beautiful letter, asking me for my help. You wrote to me as one of
your oldest friends. Mrs. Cheveley stole that letter from my rooms.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Well, what use is it to her?
Lord Arthur Goring (rising). Mrs. Cheveley puts a certain interpretation on
that letter and proposes to send it to your husband.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. But what construction could she put on it?... Oh,
no! not that! not that! If I in, in trouble, and wanting your help, trusting you,
propose to come to you... that you may advise me... assist me... Oh, are there
women so horrible as that...? My husband will not understand!
Lord Arthur Goring. And now you should tell Robert the whole thing at
once.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (looking at him with amazement that is almost
terror). Tell the whole thing?
Lord Arthur Goring. I think it is better that he should know the exact truth.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (rising). Oh, I couldnt, I couldnt!
Lord Arthur Goring. May I do it?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. No.
Lord Arthur Goring (gravely). You are wrong, Lady Chiltern.
52
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. No. The letter must be intercepted. That is all. But
how can I do it? Letters arrive for him every moment of the day.
Lord Arthur Goring. Please stay calm, Lady Chiltern. I will find a solution.
Whatever it takes. (Goes to the door, and opens it.) Oh, Robert is coming
upstairs with the letter in his hand. It has reached him already.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (with a cry of pain). Oh, you have saved his life;
what have you done with mine?
SCENE 4
Lady Gertrude Chiltern, Lord Arthur Goring, Sir Robert Chiltern, Mabel Chiltern.
Sir Robert Chiltern enters. He has the letter in his hand, and is reading it. He
comes towards his wife, not noticing Lord Arthur Gorings presence.
Sir Robert Chiltern. I need you. I trust you. I am coming to you. Gertrude.
Oh, my love! Is this true? Do you indeed trust me, and want me, Gertrude?
Lord Arthur Goring, unseen by Sir Robert Chiltern, makes an imploring sign
to Lady Gertrude Chiltern to accept the situation and Sir Roberts error.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Yes. (Taking his hand.) And I loved you.
Lord Arthur Goring passes into the conservatory.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. There is no disgrace in the future for you and not
any public shame. Lord Arthur Goring has destroyed the letter.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Are you sure of this, Gertrude?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Yes, he has just told me.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Then I am safe! Is Arthur still here?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Yes, he is in the conservatory.
53
Sir Robert Chiltern. I am so glad now I made that speech last night in the
House, so glad. I made it thinking that public disgrace might be the result.
But it has not been so.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Public honour has been the result.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Gertrude... I suppose I should retire from public life?
He looks anxiously at his wife.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (eagerly). Oh yes, Robert, you should do that.
Sir Robert Chiltern. And would you be happy living somewhere alone with
me, abroad perhaps, or in the country away from London, away from public
life? Would you have no regrets?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Oh, no. None, Robert.
Sir Robert Chilter (sadly). And your ambition for me? You used to have
ambition for me.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. I have none now, only that we two may love each
other.
Lord Arthur Goring returns.
Sir Robert Chiltern (going towards him). Arthur, I thank you for what you
did for me. I dont know how to repay you.
He shakes his hand.
Lord Arthur Goring. My father has just told me that you are to have the
vacant seat in the Cabinet!
Sir Robert Chiltern (with a look of joy and triumph). A seat in the Cabinet?
(He sees his wife looking at him with her clear, candid eyes. He then realises
that it is impossible.) I cannot accept this offer. I have made up my mind to
decline it.
Lord Arthur Goring. Decline it, Robert?
54
Sir Robert Chiltern. My intention is to retire at once from public life.
Lord Arthur Goring (angrily). You decline? Never heard such stupid
nonsense in my life. Lady Chiltern, will you let him do this?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. I think my husband in right in his determination,
Arthur. I approve of it.
Lord Arthur Goring. Good heavens!
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (taking her husbands hand). I have never admired
him so much before. He is finer than even I thought him. (To Sir Robert
Chiltern.) You will go and write your letter to the Prime Minister now, wont
you? Dont hesitate about it, Robert.
Sir Robert Chiltern (with a touch of bitterness). I suppose I had better write
it at once.
He exits.
Lord Arthur Goring. Lady Chiltern, why are you behaving as Mrs.
Cheveley?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (startled). I dont understand you.
Lord Arthur Goring. Mrs. Cheveley made an attempt to ruin your husband
and then failed.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Lord Goring?
Lord Arthur Goring (pulling himself together for a great effort). Lady
Chiltern, allow me. You wrote me a letter last night in which you said you
trusted me and wanted my help. Now is the time when you have got to trust
me, to trust in my judgment. You love Robert. Do not rob him of the fruits
of his ambition, dont condemn him to a sterile failure, he, who was born for
triumph and success.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (troubled and hesitating). But it is my husband
himself who wishes to retire from public life. He feels it is his duty.
55
Lord Arthur Goring. Rather than lose your love, Robert would do anything.
He is making for you a terrible sacrifice. Take my advice, Lady Gertrude
Chiltern, and do not accept a sacrifice so great. Power is his passion. Without
it he would lose everything, even his power to feel love. Your husbands life
is at this moment in your hands.
Sir Robert Chiltern enters.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Gertrude, here is the draft of my letter. Shall I read it to
you?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Let me see it.
Sir Robert hands her the letter.
She reads it, and then, with a gesture of passion, tears it up.
Sir Robert Chiltern. What are you doing?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. I am not going to destroy your life.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Gertrude! Gertrude!
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. And I forgive you.
Sir Robert Chiltern (deeply overcome by emotion, embraces her). My wife!
my wife! (To Lord Arthur Goring.) Arthur, it seems that I am always to be in
your debt. Ask me whatever you want.
Mabel Chiltern comes closer.
Lord Arthur Goring. Robert, you are your sisters guardian, and I want your
permission to marry her. That is all.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Oh, congratulations! Congratulations!
She shakes hands with Lord Arthur Goring.
Lord Arthur Goring. Thank you, Lady Chiltern.
Sir Robert Chiltern (with a troubled look). Do you want to marry my sister?
56
Lord Arthur Goring. Yes.
Sir Robert Chiltern (speaking with great firmness). Arthur, I am very
sorry, but the thing is out of the question. I have to think of Mabels future
happiness. And I dont think her happiness would be safe in your hands.
Lord Arthur Goring. But I love Mabel.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert, if they love each other, why shouldnt they
get married?
Sir Robert Chiltern. When I called on you yesterday evening I found Mrs.
Cheveley concealed in your rooms. I know you were engaged to be married
to her once. You spoke to me last night of her as a pure and stainless women,
a woman whom you respected and honoured. But I cannot give my sisters
life into your hands.
Lord Arthur Goring. I have nothing more to say.
He looks at Lady Gertrude shyly.
Mabel Chiltern runs away.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert, it was not Mrs. Cheveley whom Lord
Arthur Goring was expecting last night.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Who was it then?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert, yesterday afternoon Lord Goring told
me that if ever I was in trouble I could come to him for help, as he was our
best friend. Later on, after that terrible scene in this room, I wrote to him
the letter youve read before. (Sir Robert Chiltern takes the letter out of his
pocket.) I didnt go to Lord Arthur Gorings, after all. I decided that it is only
from ourselves that help can come. Mrs. Cheveley went instead. She stole my
letter and sent it anonymously to you this morning, to let you think... Oh!
Robert, I cannot tell you what she wished you to think
Sir Robert Chiltern. What! I could never doubted your goodness. Arthur,
you can go to Mabel, and you have my best wishes!
Lord Arthur Goring. Well, I hope she hasnt changed her mind.
57
 He exits.

Voice of the Earl of Caversham. If you dont make her an ideal husband, Ill
send you away without any financial support.

Voice of Mabel Chiltern. An ideal husband! Oh, I dont think I should like
that. He can be what he chooses.

Lady Gertrude Chiltern (kisses the husband). For all of us a new life is
beginning.

THE END

58 59
 ENJOY YOURSELF WITH OUR GAMES!
Practical exercises edited by Gianfranca Olivieri
Theatrical Season 2014/2015
1. PUZZLE
An Ideal Husband
How can Mrs. Cheveley be considered?

Find the missing words in the sentences below, quoted from the text
and write them in the puzzle.

1. Sir Robert Chiltern wanted his ...................... when he was young.

2. Mabel Chiltern finds a ...................... brooch.
3. Lord Arthur Goring says that ...................... always appear at the wrong time.
4. Mrs. Cheveley was sent away from school for ...................... .
5. Sir R. Chilterns ...................... is Miss Mabel.
6. Lady G. Chiltern says that Robert has no ...................... from her.
7. Mrs. Cheveley has ..................... very largely in the international canal project.
8. Sir R. Chiltern wants to ...................... from public life.
9. Lord A. Goring is a ...................... .
10. Mrs. Cheveley had two ...................... .
11. Sir R. Chiltern says that the report shall be ...................... .
12. Lord R. Chiltern says that the god of this century is ...................... .

Send all the original pages by 31/05/2015 to:

1
IL PALCHETTO STAGE s.a.s., Via Montebello 14/16 - 21052 Busto Arsizio (VA)
2
Youll receive a nice gift and youll have the chance to win a final prize!
3
FILL IN THE FORM IN BLOCK LETTERS USING A PEN
4

Surname: Name: F o M o
5

N.: Address: 6

Postcode: Town: Province: 7

Telephone: Mobile: 8

E-mail: 9

Date of birth: 10

School: 11

N.: Address:
12

Postcode: Town: Province:

Telephone: Now read the column under the arrow and youll find the solution.
English teacher:
Solution: A .............................................................................................................................
Date Signature

Il Palchetto Stage s.a.s. ai sensi e in conformit con lart. 13, D. Lgs 30 giugno 2003 n. 196,
informa che i dati raccolti saranno utilizzati per informarLa in merito a nuove iniziative.
2. LETTERS AND NUMBERS
How can Oscar Wildes sayings be defined?
In each of O. Wildes sayings in box (A), quoted from the text, there is a
missing word. Find it in box (B).
obvious = H
Example: 1 Women can discover everything except the ......................
SENTENCES BOX (A)
1 Women can discover everything except the
........................ .
2 To satisfy certain temptations one requires immense
........................ .
3 Love should forgive all sins, except a sin against
........................ .
4 Self-sacrifice is a thing that should be ....................
by law.
5 When one pays a visit it is for the purpose of
........................ other peoples time, not ones own.
6 I always pass on a good ........................ it is the only
thing to do with. It is never of any use to oneself.
7 In married life affection comes when people
........................ each other.
8 Too much experience is a ........................ thing.
Now match letters and numbers in box (C) and youll find the solution.
BOX (C)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
H
Solution: ........................................................................................
3. RIDDLE
What is the theme in "An Ideal Husband"?
In the box below there are 9 words, quoted from the text. Match
each word with the appropriate meaning in list (A) and write it on the
broken lines in list (B).
BOX
STOCKBROKER - ACQUAINTANCE - CLEVER - FREEDOM
BOX (B) BUTLER - BACHELOR - CAREER - SCRUPLE - PRIZE
O PROHIBITED
LIST (A) MEANINGS LIST (B) WORDS FROM THE BOX
O ADVICE 1. Its the job or profession that someone
does for a long period of their life _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
H OBVIOUS 2. A man who has never married _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
S DANGEROUS 3. Its a moral principle or belief that
make reluctant to do something that
U DISLIKE seems wrong _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
4. Its a person whose job is to buy and
U STRENGHT sell stock and shares _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M ITSELF 5. A reward for doing good work _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
6. Its the most important male servant
R WASTING in a wealthy house _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
7. Someone who you have met and
known slightly _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
8. To do what you want to do _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
9. Someone who is intelligent and able
to understand things easily _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Now read the letters in the circles and write them in the correct
order on the broken line below and youll find the solution.
Solution: .................................................................................................................................
4. GRID 5. A SPOT OF RELAXATION
Why is Arthur Goring the hero of the story? A proverb

In the list below there are 15 adjectives, quoted from the text. Find A friend in need is a friend indeed!
them in the grid (vertically, horizontally, diagonally and backwards).
The remaining letters will give you the solution.

1. CHARMING 6. IDLE 11. STUPID

2. DIFFERENT 7. BRILLIANT 12. TEDIOUS
3. DISHONEST 8. PRACTICAL 13. UNJUST
4. FOOLISH 9. PRIVATE 14. WRETCHED
5. HORRIBLE 10. SPLENDID 15. IMMENSE

H O R R I B L E T S S A
B V E E S T T G N T P H
E R D S S I N I E W L F
P F I U N I F D R R E O
I R J L M E I L E E N O
C N I R L O M E F T D L
U U A V U I L M F C I I
T H S S A I A T I H D S
C D I P U T S N D E U H
D I S H O N E S T D A T
P R A C T I C A L I O N

Solution: BECAUSE HE .....................................................................

TEXT ANALYSIS 7) What does Lady Chiltern want for her husband? Does he consider
himself to be an Ideal husband?
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The plot ...........................................................................................................................................................................
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1) In what city and historical period does the story begin?
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8) What does Miss Mabel Chiltern want for her husband? Does she
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consider and/or want him to be an Ideal husband?
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2) Where does Mrs. Cheveley come from and where is she staying in ...........................................................................................................................................................................
the city?
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Literary references
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9) Who was the author of An Ideal Husband? Do you know in

3) What is the project that Mrs. Cheveley has invested in? which city was he born and in which city did he died?
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4) What does Sir Robert Chiltern and his wife think of the project? 10) Can you name three other pieces of work:
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I. a play
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II. a novel
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III. a poem or ballad
that were written by the same author?
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The characters ...........................................................................................................................................................................
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5) What is Sir Robert Chilterns occupation and where is his place
of work?
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6) What was the problem he had in the past and who was his
advisor?
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