Written by Oscar Wilde in 1899, The Ideal Husband weaves a tale that delves into what happens when one puts someone on a pedestal and considers that person perfect, and ideal. For inevitably, disappointment must follow since perfection is out of the realm of possibility for humans. As with most of his plays, this is a delightful read: light and short, but immensely deep. This play has so many quotable lines that I could scarcely place my pencil down for more than a minute! It is a funny story, brimming with a critique of human folly and human nature. 

When in love, it is fairly easy for one’s judgment to be clouded and forget instances of imperfection. These rose-colored glasses may fall off or be forced off; this is the situation that Lady Chiltern finds herself in. When a single indiscretion from his youth comes back to bite him, Lord Chiltern makes the wrong decision regarding his course of action and fails to mention his dilemma to his wife, culminating in a rift between the two. Lord Goring, a man of idleness, was thrust into the middle of the situation. 

This play is a short commitment and yet the depth and the insights gained are transformative. It covers a great many topics and themes that have been debated for centuries. Some of these themes in particular are necessary for people to understand today: fundamental truths of this world cannot be changed, no matter how much people try to deny it or will them away. Through most of his main characters in this play, Wilde allows for necessary growth and discovery that translates to the audience/readers. I highly recommend this play.