An Ideal Husband

Itself a work of aestheticism, An Ideal Husband explores the value of art through the characters’ attitude toward pursuits such as politics and science, as well as toward life generally. Throughout the play, characters examine and blur the lines between “serious” subjects and art and pleasure to reveal the dangers of a stern and moralizing approach to existence.

Politics, which Sir Robert describes as a noble pursuit, is a frequent object of the play’s satire and thus illustrates its broader approach and attitude. The moralizing bent in politics is little more than hypocrisy, Wilde suggests, as characters like Mrs. Cheveley and Lord Goring reveal the artful game that is politics in the modern age. Moreover, there is merit to treating it as the game it is; to do so is not to make light of it but rather to expose the absurdity of politics itself. As Lord Goring says to another guest of the Chilterns, “I adore political parties. They are the only place left to us where people don’t talk politics” (212). Lord Goring, who offers most of the satirical dialogue throughout the play, ironically suggests that political parties have become the only place where people can enjoy music, food, conversation, and art without discussing politics.