Lady Markby Character Analysis in An Ideal Husband

A pleasant, decorous elderly lady who accompanies Mrs. Cheveley to all social events, apparently to lend Mrs. Cheveley an air of decency. In all respects, Lady Markby is the image of conservatism: her guiding lights are all the conventions that are just beginning to go out of style. Every time she speaks, she unthinkingly recites the curious prejudices of the upper classes. Her mild-mannered female conservatism complements Lord Caversham’s aggressive male conservatism.

Lady Markby Character Timeline in An Ideal Husband

The timeline below shows where the character Lady Markby appears in An Ideal Husband. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Two new guests enter: a nice older woman named Lady Markby , and a striking red-haired woman named Mrs. Cheveley, who has recently come from Vienna.... (full context)

...enters the room – a handsome, worried-looking man in early middle age. He chats with Lady Markby , who offers to introduce him to her interesting new friend, Mrs. Cheveley. They talk... (full context)

Meanwhile, the other guests return from dinner. Lady Markby chatters pleasantly to Mrs. Cheveley about the noble, upstanding character of the Chilterns, then leaves... (full context)

Lady Markby and Mrs. Cheveley enter. Mabel briefly says hello and runs off to pose in a... (full context)

The butler brings in tea, and Lady Markby rambles about family feuds. Mrs. Cheveley notes that parents nowadays must learn “the art of... (full context)

As soon as Lady Markby leaves, Lady Chiltern drops all pretense of pleasantness. She tells Mrs. Cheveley that she does... (full context)