Key Figures in The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray: Character Profiles

Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray features a cast of memorable characters whose lives intertwine with the enigmatic Dorian Gray. From the influential Lord Henry to the tragic Sibyl Vane, these figures drive the novel's exploration of beauty, morality, and corruption.

Central Figures in Dorian Gray's Story

• Dorian Gray – A handsome and narcissistic young man who becomes enthralled with Lord Henry's idea of a new hedonism. He begins to indulge in every kind of pleasure, both moral and immoral, leading to his eventual corruption.
• Basil Hallward – An artist deeply infatuated with Dorian's beauty. Dorian helps Basil realize his artistic potential, as Basil's portrait of Dorian proves to be his finest work. A devout Christian with conservative values, he may be in denial of his homosexuality. He is later murdered by Dorian.
• Lord Henry "Harry" Wotton – An imperious and decadent dandy, initially a friend to Basil, but later more intrigued by Dorian's beauty and naivety. Extremely witty, Lord Henry serves as a critique of Victorian culture at the end of the century, espousing a view of indulgent hedonism. He conveys his world view to Dorian, who becomes corrupted attempting to emulate him, though Basil points out that Harry "never says anything good but never does anything bad."

Supporting Characters in Dorian Gray

• Sibyl Vane – An exceptionally talented and beautiful, though extremely poor, actress with whom Dorian falls in love. Her love for Dorian destroys her acting ability, as she no longer finds pleasure in portraying fictional love when she experiences it in reality. She commits suicide when she realizes Dorian no longer loves her. Lord Henry likens her to Ophelia.
• James Vane – Sibyl's protective brother, who is to become a sailor and leave for Australia. He is hesitant to leave his sister, believing Dorian will harm her, and promises vengeance if any harm should come to her. After Sibyl's death, he becomes obsessed with killing Dorian and begins to stalk him. He is later killed in a hunting accident. James's pursuit of revenge against Dorian for his sister's death emulates the role of Laertes, Ophelia's brother in Hamlet.
• Alan Campbell – A chemist and once a good friend of Dorian. He ended their friendship when Dorian's reputation began to come into question.
• Lord Fermor – Lord Henry's uncle, who informs Lord Henry about Dorian's lineage.
• Victoria, Lady Henry Wotton – Lord Henry's wife. She appears only once in the novel while Dorian waits for Lord Henry. Despite her love for her husband, who treats her with disdain, she later divorces him for a pianist.