An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde. Short summary

5 seconds

Blackmailer Mrs. Cheveley demands that Robert Chiltern give a speech in defense of the Argentine project. Robert’s wife opposes this. Cheveley reveals the dirt. Arthur Goring incriminates her for the theft.

1 minute

At Robert and Gertrude Chiltern’s dinner party, Mrs. Cheveley arrives and blackmails the master of the house, who must give a speech against the «Argentine scam.» Mrs. Cheveley has bought stock in this project and wants his approval. She alludes to a certain Baron Arnheim, and Robert agrees to her demands.

Gertrude learns of her husband’s plans. She considers him the perfect husband, and demands honesty. She has known Cheveley since she was a child — she was expelled from school for stealing. Robert agrees with his wife and writes Cheveley a letter of rejection.

The blackmailer reveals dirt to Gertrude: Robert, with Arnheim’s help, has profited dishonestly from the Suez Canal.

Gertrude appeals in writing to Goring for help. The note looks like a love letter. Goring waits for Gertrude, but Cheveley appears. She wants to rekindle her romance with him and is willing to say good-bye to the compromising Robert for the sake of it.

Goring notices the brooch he gave to his cousin and accuses her of theft. She gives him the dirt, but steals Gertrude´s letter. But Robert has no intention of causing a scandal.