The Picture of Dorian Gray characters
by Oscar Wilde, 1890
The main characters of The Picture of Dorian Gray, who they are and what they do in the story.
Dorian Gray
protagonistDorian Gray is a handsome and impressionable young man who becomes corrupted by a desire for eternal youth and beauty. His wish for his portrait to age instead of him leads to a life of moral decay.
Lord Henry Wotton
antagonistLord Henry is a charming and witty nobleman who influences Dorian with his hedonistic and amoral philosophy. He believes in the pursuit of pleasure and has a significant impact on Dorian's life choices.
Basil Hallward
supportingBasil is an artist and the painter of Dorian's portrait. He admires Dorian's beauty and is concerned about the influence Lord Henry has on him. Basil's friendship with Dorian leads to his tragic end.
Sibyl Vane
supportingSibyl is a talented actress and Dorian's first love. Her relationship with Dorian ends in tragedy, as his rejection leads to her suicide, marking the beginning of Dorian's moral decline.
James Vane
supportingJames is Sibyl Vane's brother, who seeks revenge on Dorian for his sister's death. His pursuit of Dorian adds tension to the story and contributes to Dorian's paranoia.
Alan Campbell
supportingAlan is a former friend of Dorian who is coerced into helping dispose of Basil's body. His involvement with Dorian leads to his own downfall and eventual suicide.
Meet them in the book
Read The Picture of Dorian Gray free on the 12-month plan, with a tracker, tap-to-translate vocabulary and a quiz at the end.