The Picture of Dorian Gray

Main Characters and Their Development

• Dorian Gray - a young, handsome aristocrat who, after being painted by the artist Basil Hallward, wishes for his portrait to age instead of him. As he delves into debauchery and vice, the portrait becomes deformed, reflecting Dorian's moral decline, while he remains outwardly unchanged.
• Basil Hallward - a talented artist, captivated by Dorian Gray's beauty. His friendship with Dorian and the portrait he creates serve as catalysts for the novel's events. As the story progresses, Basil becomes concerned about the changes in Dorian's character and ultimately meets his demise at Dorian's hands when he tries to persuade him to change his ways.
• Lord Henry Wotton - a witty and cynical aristocrat who exerts significant influence over Dorian Gray. His philosophy of pleasure and passion for life without moral constraints inspires Dorian to engage in a series of self-destructive acts. Lord Henry embodies the ideology of aestheticism and decadence, yet remains largely unchanged himself, merely observing the consequences of his influence.