A portrait grows old so a beautiful man can sin forever.
Who drives the story
A beautiful young aristocrat who trades his soul for eternal youth. He indulges every vice while his portrait absorbs the damage—until he tries to destroy it and dies with it.
A witty, cynical aristocrat who preaches self-indulgent hedonism and corrupts Dorian with his epigrams. He watches the wreckage from a distance, untouched by consequences.
The painter who puts his soul into Dorian's portrait and becomes its first victim. He is the only character who tries to save Dorian—and is murdered for it.
A poor, gifted Shakespearean actress who loves Dorian as 'Prince Charming.' When real love ruins her acting, he discards her, and she poisons herself.
Sibyl's sailor brother who vows to kill 'Prince Charming' if he harms her. He stalks Dorian for years and dies by a stray bullet before he can take his revenge.
Also in the story
A chemist and former friend of Dorian. Blackmailed into dissolving Basil's body, he later shoots himself.
A young village girl Dorian spares as proof of his reformation—though the portrait shows the mercy was vanity, not virtue.
How they are connected
A witty, cynical aristocrat who preaches self-indulgent hedonism and corrupts Dorian with his epigrams.
The painter who puts his soul into Dorian's portrait and becomes its first victim.
A poor, gifted Shakespearean actress who loves Dorian as 'Prince Charming.
Sibyl's sailor brother who vows to kill 'Prince Charming' if he harms her.
He stalks Dorian for years and dies by a stray bullet before he can take his revenge.
A chemist and former friend of Dorian.
Blackmailed into dissolving Basil's body, he later shoots himself.
A young village girl Dorian spares as proof of his reformation—though the portrait shows the mercy was vanity, not virtue.
Go deeper
Influence and corruption · Vanity and the worship of beauty · The split between appearance and soul · Hypocritical repentance
Themes explainedThe full story act by act, the ending explained and a quick quiz.
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