# Lord Henry Wotton — The Picture of Dorian Gray character guide > Lord Henry Wotton in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Lord Henry, Harry, Henry Wotton **First appearance:** 0001-the-picture-of-dorian-gray ## Snapshot A languid aristocrat who seduces with epigrams, preaching self-development and pleasure while never risking his own comfort. ## Who they are Lord Henry drifts through drawing rooms dispensing paradoxes, and finds in Dorian a listener willing to test them on a real life. He claims all influence is immoral, yet his own words reshape Dorian more thoroughly than any sermon could. His wit gives the novel its glittering surface and its most dangerous ideas, making him both the engine of the plot and its most quotable bystander. ## Relationships ### [Dorian Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/dorian_gray) _psychological_ Lord Henry manipulates and corrupts Dorian with his hedonistic philosophy, acting as a toxic mentor and intellectual seducer. ### [Basil Hallward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/basil_hallward) _rivalry_ Basil disapproves of Lord Henry's corrupting influence on Dorian, creating a tense ideological conflict between them. ### [Lady Narborough](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/lady_narborough) _social_ They are witty social acquaintances who share a love for gossip and high society banter. ### [Sibyl Vane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/sibyl_vane) _social_ Lord Henry hears about Sibyl from Dorian and encourages Dorian's cruel dismissal of her, viewing her as a mere experiment. ### [Duchess of Monmouth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/duchess_of_monmouth) _social_ The Duchess is a flirtatious society figure who engages in clever, cynical conversation with Lord Henry. ### [Victor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/victor) _professional_ Victor is Lord Henry's loyal and discreet butler, serving his household and personal needs. ### [Dorian Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/dorian_gray) _psychological_ Lord Henry manipulates and corrupts Dorian with his hedonistic philosophy, acting as a toxic mentor and intellectual seducer. ### [Dorian Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/dorian_gray) _psychological_ Lord Henry manipulates and corrupts Dorian with his hedonistic philosophy, acting as a toxic mentor and intellectual seducer. ### [Basil Hallward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/basil_hallward) _rivalry_ Basil disapproves of Lord Henry's corrupting influence on Dorian, creating a tense ideological conflict between them. ### [Basil Hallward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/basil_hallward) _rivalry_ Basil disapproves of Lord Henry's corrupting influence on Dorian, creating a tense ideological conflict between them. ### [Lady Narborough](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/lady_narborough) _social_ They are witty social acquaintances who share a love for gossip and high society banter. ### [Duchess of Monmouth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/duchess_of_monmouth) _social_ The Duchess is a flirtatious society figure who engages in clever, cynical conversation with Lord Henry. ## In the story ### [The Picture of Dorian Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/the-picture-of-dorian-gray) A charismatic aristocrat who introduces Dorian to a philosophy of pleasure and aestheticism. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/i) Charms and provokes Basil with his cynical wit, insisting on meeting Dorian Gray. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/ii) Expounds his hedonistic philosophy, arguing that influence is immoral and that the aim of life is self-development; warns Dorian about the brevity of youth. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/iii) Learns about Dorian's parentage and resolves to dominate and influence him; delivers a dazzling, paradoxical monologue at lunch. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/iv) Lord Henry observes Dorian's transformation with pleasure, reflecting on his own influence over the lad. He agrees to attend Sibyl's performance and continues to espouse his hedonistic and aesthetic philosophies. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/vi) Informs Basil of Dorian's engagement, defends it as an experience, and discusses his views on marriage and optimism. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/vii) Lord Henry accompanies Dorian to the theater, makes cynical remarks, and is referenced by Dorian as a corrupting influence. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/viii) Lord Henry delivers the news of Sibyl's suicide to Dorian, advising him to avoid scandal and continue with his social life. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/ix) Mentioned by Dorian as a dangerous but charming influence; Dorian says he would not go to Harry in trouble. ### [The Hiding of the Portrait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/x) Lord Henry sends Dorian a note and a poisonous book that fascinates him. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xi) His influence on Dorian persists; he assists with Dorian's little dinners and is referenced as having stirred Dorian's curiosity about life. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned as the host of the dinner Dorian attended earlier that evening. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xiv) Referenced indirectly through a quote about 'a woman's memory' that Dorian recalls. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xv) Arrives late to the party, engages in witty conversation, and questions Dorian about his activities. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xvi) Dorian repeats Lord Henry's words: 'To cure the soul by means of the senses, and the senses by means of the soul.' ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xvii) Engages in philosophical banter with the Duchess; rushes to Dorian's aid after his fainting spell. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xviii) Visits Dorian and makes cynical remarks; later converses with the Duchess of Monmouth about love and disillusionment. ### [Chapter XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xix) Lord Henry dismisses Dorian's moral turn, defends art's sterility, and continues to praise Dorian's youth and beauty. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xx) Dorian recalls Lord Henry's words and influence, including his mocking laugh and hedonistic philosophy. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/lord_henry_wotton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters