An Ideal Husband: By Oscar Wilde - Illustrated

My attempts to broaden my literary experience included this selection by Oscar Wilde. It was my first experience with this author and I have no idea if it rates as one of his better works or not. It is worth reading for those who do have a love of classic literature.

This edition of the book is possibly the worst you could find anywhere. It is not impossible to read yet the translator obviously had some issues with certain Greek phrases and might have been rushing to meet a deadline.

I LIKE FOOLISHNESS BUT THIS IS JUST TOO MUCH. MAYBE YEARS AGO IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ENTERTAINING. I DO THINK THE TITLE AND THE CONTENTS IN GENERAL IS FUNNY, BUT GOING THROUGH ALL THE SILLINESS IS TOO MUCH FOR ME.

This magnificent compilation has three Plato writings: "Apology," "Crito," and "Phaedo." Though apparently early works and not as complex or philosophically influential as later ones, they are immensely important in portraying Socrates' trial and death. They are our clearest picture of the historical Socrates and would be invaluable for this alone. Indeed, I have read hundreds - perhaps thousands - of books, and this is one of my ten or so favorites, mostly because of how moving the depiction of the great man's last days is. The story of Socrates' Apology and last moments is part of world literature's very fabric, an immortal part of Western cultural heritage. Anyone who wants to learn about Socrates should start here. However, the works have great value even aside from this; a few have indeed questioned their historical veracity. This does not affect their philosophical, literary, and political worth, which is of the highest, making the book doubly essential.

"Apology" is Plato's least philosophical and most unrepresentative work but arguably his most important and is among many readers' favorites, including mine. The book's title is misleading in that this is prose rather than dialogue; it purports to be Socrates' self-defense at his trial. It is historically priceless if so, as it gives his last public statements and some background about his life and the lead up to the trial. Even if not, it is of immense worth as a passionate, sound defense of individualism and free speech; its timeless evocation of these all-important concepts is forever associated with Socrates and the main reason he has been immortalized. The work also piercingly examines the often vast law/conscience gap and is thus an early higher law document. Finally, it is a sort of mini-dialogue in itself touching on and in several ways tying up classic Socrates/Plato themes like the nature of piety and goodness, responsibility toward the gods and the state, interpersonal relations, and life vs. death issues. It sums up Socrates and perhaps Plato better than any other work.

"Crito" is a possibly partly historical account of the title character visiting Socrates in jail to inform him that he is able to escape via bribe; Socrates famously says that he accepts his sentence and argues down contrary pleas. This gives incredible potential insight into Socrates, in many ways telling us more about his character and thought than a full biography ever could. Again, though, it transcends this philosophically and otherwise and is particularly relevant politically. It also examines the law/conscience gap and gives further background on Socrates but is notable above all as a very early example of the social contract theory of government. This is an astonishing example of how advanced Plato was, as the theory is generally considered to have been founded by Thomas Hobbes nearly a millennium later. Even more amazingly, it is put forth more clearly and persuasively here than perhaps anywhere else, making the dialogue essential for anyone interested in political theory.

"Phaedo" ostensibly details Socrates' last moments, including his last look at his wife and child, his last dialogue, his last words to friends, and his actual death. A large part of Socrates' image comes from this, and its potential historical value is inconceivable, though its historicity can easily be doubted since the work itself strongly suggests that Plato was not there. Even so, it is likely accurate in regard to the things that really matter and certainly a fine account of how it very well could have been. It is extremely moving; shot through with pathos, it is one of the most affecting things I have ever read. One can surely not read it without being overcome by emotion; I can hardly even think of it without misty eyes. Anyone who respects and admires this central Western civilization figure will be profoundly touched; his famous last words seem comic out of context but are very much otherwise here, telling us much about Socrates and moving us yet further. This would be one of the greatest works of all-time if it had no other aspect, but it is also a fine dialogue appropriately dealing mostly with death. Plato examines perennial questions like the soul's immortality and metempsychosis very thoroughly and thought-provokingly, and the conclusion - unsurprisingly, given the circumstances - has uncharacteristic certainty. It may not convince our cynical, empiricist, science-loving, twentieth century-surviving age, but the argument is certainly well-made and in many ways admirable. The dialogue touches on other important subjects also and is generally seen as the culmination of Plato's early, Socrates-centered thought.

It is important to realize that these four works were not originally published together, but the trial and death connection means they are often collected. There are many such editions, but this is among the least expensive and one of the most widely available, making it ideal for most. That said, some editions - e.g., Dover's Trial and Death of Socrates, which is even cheaper - also have "Euthyphro." The ever-important translation issue must also be kept in mind. It goes without saying that anyone who cares about intellectual issues, especially applied ones, must know Plato, as should anyone who wants to be even basically well-read. However, this is far easier said than done for most; he is so different from what now passes for literature, to say nothing of pop culture, that he is virtually inaccessible to general readers. Yet the importance of persevering cannot be overemphasized; the payoff is well worth the effort. As nearly always in such cases, reading him becomes far easier after the initial difficulty; no attentive reader will ever think Plato easy reading, but he is utterly absorbing once we get used to his style. He has a near-poetic beauty that all agree has never even been remotely approached in philosophy, and such mesmerizing prose is rare in any genre. His dialogues are an incredible form at once intellectually and aesthetically pleasing - an inspired combination that has perhaps never been bettered; many have appropriated it, but none have matched it. All this means that picking the right translation is probably more important with Plato than any other writer. For the average reader, the more recent, the better is generally true, though older translations like W. H. D. Rouse's and Benjamin Jowett's are still very accessible. The important thing is to read Plato in some form, and those who happen on a translation that does not work for them should keep trying until their mind opens in a truly new way - and once done, it will never close again.

All told, though this edition is not the best for all, anyone wanting an inexpensive Plato/Socrates primer could hardly do better.

This book is in the public domain, it's available for free on several websites. At the moment I write this the store does not offer this title for free in Europe.

The printed version has 153 pages, app. 53000 words. There is very good review of this book by Bill R. Moore on the the store site, so I will only add an example of the style of writing of Plato. The first 2 phrases of 'The Apology of Socrates' are:

I know not, O Athenians! how far you have been influenced by my accusers
for my part, in listening to them I almost forgot myself, so plausible
were their arguments however, so to speak, they have said nothing true.
But of the many falsehoods which they uttered I wondered at one of them
especially, that in which they said that you ought to be on your guard
lest you should be deceived by me, as being eloquent in speech.
[...]

British politician Lord Robert Chiltern is blackmailed by the immoral Mrs. Cheverly, with a secret from his youth, leading to a crisis in his life, and in his marriage to the virtuous Lady Chiltern. It is up to his friend, the delightfully foppish Lord Goring to help extricate him. All is well that ends well, but not after much witty interplay and intrigue and masterful wordsmithing by Oscar.

Wilde shows us that the acceptance of our loved ones' flaws is perhaps the corner stone of love. Oscar Wilde examines love, honesty, friendship, and forgiveness with a humorous, witty happy ending.

Although Lady Chiltern thinks a lot of her husband. Sir Robert Chiltern isn't quite the gentlemen she thought. This is an interesting read, that is quickly devoured. This story although a classic could easily fit into today's world and the author was years ahead of his time.

This was a hilarious swipe at English living, and Wilde provided many laughs and delightful twists. This is my second Wilde story, and I'm looking forward to reading more. He's so clever and witty!

Rex Harrison's performance was fantastic, and it was easy to lose myself within the story, listening to his dulcet tones deliver Wilde's wit and humor.

Some of Wilde's best quotations came from this play!

I have read this play many times, and seen it preformed twice, and each time, reading or watching, is always funny! The plot of blackmail and politics is always good for a cutting remark by Wilde, but the entire social satire is just perfect!

You'll enjoy this perfectly delightful volume!

an ideal husband is an amazing work of literature. being witty, charming, and yet very intelligent, wilde's play is well written and enjoyable. read the play, then watch the movie. you're guaranteed a good time :D

I loved the banter between characters. It was fun to read. At times it was a bit wordy, but I still couldn't put it down.
It wasn't necessarily the best piece I've read, but I feel it was worthwhile.

I have recently been reading lots of Oscar Wilde's plays. I liked The Importance of Being Earnest a bit more than this one, but the satire is great and delivered so cleverly that I can't help but enjoy the plays!