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 “hindering characters” and the “movement from pistis to gnosis.” An "obstructive character" is something physical or intangible that blocks a relationship, and "from pistis to gnosis" is a transition from belief to knowledge. In Oscar Wilde's play "An Ideal Husband", Wilde effectively incorporates both of these elements. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayMrs. Cheveley is a character in "An Ideal Husband" who attempts to thwart the marriage of Robert and Lady Chiltern. Robert Chiltern is “deeply respected by…many” (183), especially his wife; Lady Chiltern states that for her "it 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: “Make her tell you how she sold a cabinet secret to a stockbroker” (229). This is a severe blow to Robert and Lady Chiltern's marriage, as it will "break her idol... put poison in her heart" (249). The union of Robert and Lady Chiltern is not the only affair with Mrs. Cheveley. tries to thwart: together, Mrs. Cheveley and Tommy Tafford hope to disrupt the affair 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 like" (257), and Mabel wishes to "stay with" Lord Goring (258) . Unknown to Mabel, Lord Goring and Mrs. Cheveley were having an affair some time ago: “Arthur, you once loved me…and asked me to be your wife” (246). Once again interested in Lord Goring, Mrs. Cheveley tries to persuade 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 rejected at every proposal, as Mabel "make[s] it a rule never to accept Tommy" (259). In the spirit of comedy, the thwarted lovers (Creese) prevail, and Mabel accepts Lord Goring's proposal: "I am so happy" (258). Not all obstacles 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] wife" (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 has ruined her past relationship with Lord Goring, and made any future relationship impossible: he claims he "cannot forgive her" (249). Frye's formula is also exemplified in "An Ideal Husband" in the movement from pistis to gnosis, shown through the transformation of Sir Robert Chiltern from a dishonorable to an honorable man. Early in Chiltern's career, he took part in a "very ugly scandal" (196) by "selling a Cabinent secret" (195), something 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 is nothing in my past life that you might not know” (205). However, when his wife discovers that he "began [his] life with fraud" (230), Chiltern faces reality and accepts that he will ultimately die "a lonely and dishonored death" (231). It is at this point that Chiltern becomes honourable. While before thinking of".