Basil Hallward confesses his deep-seated anxiety regarding the tragic fate of those blessed with extraordinary beauty or intellect. He warns Lord Henry that their unique gifts—wealth, brains, and Dorian's beauty—will ultimately lead to their suffering and ruin.
BASIL HALLWARD: You don’t understand me, Harry. Of course I am not like him. I know that perfectly well. Indeed, I should be sorry to look like him. You shrug your shoulders? I am telling you the truth. There is a fatality about all physical and intellectual distinction, the sort of fatality that se
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Director's Notes
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Scene Notes & Audition Tips
Find audition monologues from Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. This dramatic scene, "The Burden of Beauty," features Basil Hallward's melancholy warning about the destructive power of gifts. Perfect for actors seeking classical drama roles.
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More from The Picture of Dorian Gray
Chapter III — Dorian Describes Sibyl Vane
from The Picture of Dorian Gray
Dorian Gray passionately describes his first encounter with the actress Sibyl Vane to Lord Henry. He contrasts her transcendent, artistic beauty with the mundane nature of ordinary women.
Chapter 1 — The Secret of the Soul
from The Picture of Dorian Gray
Basil Hallward confesses to Lord Henry Wotton the profound and terrifying influence Dorian Gray has over his art and soul, explaining why he refuses to exhibit the portrait.
The Danger of Influence and the Nature of Love
from The Picture of Dorian Gray
Lord Henry Wotton expounds his hedonistic philosophy to a young Dorian Gray while Basil Hallward paints his portrait. Henry argues that all influence is immoral and encourages Dorian to yield to his impulses rather than suppress them, sparking a profound internal awakening in the young man. The scene establishes the corruptive intellectual bond that drives the narrative's tragedy.
The Confession of Basil Hallward
from The Picture of Dorian Gray
Basil Hallward confesses the deep, obsessive influence Dorian Gray has had on his life and artistic vision. He explains why he was originally hesitant to exhibit the portrait, fearing it revealed too much of his own soul and his 'idolatry' of his muse.
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