The Danger of Influence and the Nature of Love
from The Picture of Dorian Gray
Written by Oscar Wilde
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.
DORIAN GRAY: Have you really a very bad influence, Lord Henry? As bad as Basil says?
LORD HENRY WOTTON: There is no such thing as a good influence, Mr. Gray. All influence is immoral—immoral from the scientific point of view.
DORIAN GRAY: Why?
LORD HENRY WOTTON: Because to influence a person is to g
Create a free account to explore more
Upgrade to Pro for full access — £6.99/month
Director's Notes
Explore More
Want expert coaching on this scene?
Browse our curated list of acting coaches, dialect specialists, and more.
Need representation?
Browse verified agents and casting directors in our directory.
How well does this scene match you?
Save your casting profile to see match scores on every scene.
Try Headshot AnalyserGo Pro
£6.99/mo
- ✓ Unlimited scene reading
- ✓ PDF downloads
- ✓ Director's Notes
- ✓ Headshot Analyser
- ✓ Cover Letter Generator
- ✓ Practice Mode
- ✓ Agent Connect
- + 1,000+ scenes
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 Burden of Beauty
from The Picture of Dorian Gray
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.