An Ideal Husband

Roles

• Sir Robert Chiltern - Adult (36-50), Senior (>50), Male

About this piece

Sir Robert Chiltern confesses to his friend, Lord Goring, how he made his fortune by selling government secrets

Summary

Sir Robert Chiltern is a member of the House of Commons. The play opens as Sir Chiltern and his wife host a party at their luxurious house that is attended by Robert's sister Mabel, his friend Lord Goring and Mrs. Cheveley, an old flame of Lord Goring's. Mrs. Cheveley attempts to blackmail Sir Robert Chiltern by threatening to go public with a letter that has come to her possession, a letter that proves he once sold a Cabinet secret to Baron Arnheim, thanks to which he became wealthy. This monologue is taken from a scene in act II between Sir Robert Chiltern and Lord Goring. Sir Chiltern confesses how he told Baron Arnheim about the British government's intention of purchasing the Suez canal and how that made him wealthy. He then confesses he doesn't feel sorry about it and all the money that he made gave him enormous power.

Tone

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