In “Anatomy of Criticism,” Northrop Frye explains a formula that describes the structure of dramatic comedy. Two key points of the formula are the use of "obstructive characters" and the "passage from pistis to gnosis". An “obstructive trait” is anything physical or intangible that blocks a relationship, and “pistis to gnosis” is a move from belief to knowledge. In Oscar Wilde's play "An Ideal Husband", Wilde effectively integrates these two elements. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayMrs. Cheveley is a character in "An Ideal Husband" who attempts to obstruct the marriage of Robert and Lady Chiltern. Robert Chiltern is “deeply respected by…many” (183), particularly by his wife; Lady Chiltern states that for her he has “always been an ideal” (204). However, Lady Chiltern is unaware of the “fraud” (229) that made her husband’s fortune. “Out of malice” (249), Mrs. Cheveley reveals the fraud to Lady Chiltern: “Ask him to tell you how he sold a Cabinet secret to a stockbroker” (229). This is a major blow to the marriage of Robert and Lady Chiltern, because “to break one's idol...put poison into his heart” (249). The union of Robert and Lady Chiltern is not Mrs. Cheveley's only relationship. tries to obstruct: together, Mrs. Cheveley and Tommy Tafford hope to disrupt the relationship between Mabel Chiltern and Lord Goring. Mabel and Lord Goring have strong romantic feelings for each other: Lord Goring states that Mabel is "the only person in London I really love" (257), and Mabel wishes to "stay with" Lord Goring (258 ). Unbeknownst to Mabel, Lord Goring and Mrs. Cheveley had a relationship some time ago: "Arthur, you loved me once...and you asked me to be your wife" (246). Once again interested in Lord Goring, Mrs. Cheveley tries to convince him to “marry her” (247), but he “refuses” (248). Tommy Tafford is a man who “does nothing but propose” (220) to Mabel, but is cordially refused every proposal, because Mabel “makes it a rule never to accept Tommy” (259). In the spirit of comedy, the obstructed lovers win (Creese) and Mabel accepts Lord Goring's proposal: "I am so happy" (258). Not all of the obstructions in “An Ideal Husband” are physical. For example, Mrs. Cheveley's infidelity is what hinders her relationship with Lord Goring. Some time ago, Mrs. Cheveley and Lord Goring were in a serious relationship: "I loved you...and you loved me" (247), and Goring went so far as to ask Mrs. Cheveley "to be [his ] female ". " (246). However, the relationship ended abruptly after Lord Goring saw Mrs. Cheveley "trying to have a violent flirtation" (246) with Lord Mortlake. Mrs. Cheveley's infidelity ruined her past relationship with Lord Goring and made any future relationship impossible: he states that he "cannot forgive her" (249) Frye's formula is also illustrated in "An Ideal Husband" in the movement from pistis to gnosis, illustrated. through Sir Robert Chiltern's transformation from a dishonorable man to an honorable man Early in Chiltern's career, he took part in a "very nasty scandal" (196) by "selling a Cabinet secret" (195). ), which he admits "most men would call shameful and dishonorable" (208) He continues his dishonorable ways by refusing to tell his wife the truth about his past: "There's nothing in my life." past life that you did not know” (205 However, as his wife discovers that he “began [his] life with fraud” (230), Chiltern faces reality and accepts that he will eventually die. “of a solitary and dishonored death” (231). It is to this".