aim to shock and purposefully attempt to topple established, untested, or Goals He also became much more cynical and frustrated in this time especially following the divorce to his wife Victoria and seeing Dorian still succeed in his romantic affairs with that of the young Hetty Merton. Lord Henry Wotton. His character is based on Lord Ronald Gower a friend of the author Oscar Wilde. Two years later he moved to Queen's College, graduating in 1588. His performance in conversation evokes comparison to Wilde himself; he speaks most of the brilliant aphorisms that appear in the novel. In his view, ‘one could never pay too high a price for any sensation’ (ch. Hyde." A charming talker, every word he speaks inspires those who listen. Although Lord Henry is a self-proclaimed hedonist who advocates the equal pursuit of both moral and immoral experience, he lives a rather staid life. poisonous, delightful theories.” He is a charming talker, a famous 1945 After seeing a performance from her however Wotton scolds Dorian and accuses him of only being interested in her for superficial reasons. Within moments, he captures Dorian interest, luring the young man down the beginning of a horrific path. downfall. Nineteen, for instance, that there are no immoral books; he claims Lord Henry "Harry" Wotton Un defensor del placer sensual, conocido en la alta sociedad londinense por su deslumbrante conversación y sus particulares opiniones, descaradamente inmorales. It is certainly noteworthy the peculiar relationship between Lord Henry Wotton and Dorian. Lord Henry Wotton is a man of upper-class London, England. Hobby but improbable and shallow in the second. In the end, however, they prove naïve, Bored Lord Henry Wow— with friends like Lord Henry, who needs enemies? then, that he fails to appreciate the profound meaning of Dorian’s Although some critics argue characters such as Lord Kelso significantly influence Dorian’s corruption, Lord Henry Wotton’s toxic personality undeniably impacts Dorian the most. is as coolly composed, unshakable, and possessed of the same dry There was something in his face that made one trust him at once. Lord Henry is a man who believes his theories define life. Freeze in the 1960s Batman TV show - in the 1945 film adaptation, and Colin Firth - who also portrayed Geoffery Thwaites in St. Trinians and Bill Haydon in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy in the 2009 adaptation. wit in the final pages of the novel as he is upon his introduction. For example, Dorian is impacted by Wotton’s gift, the yellow book, which persuades him to do anything to seek pleasure in life. Cultured and intellectual, he inhabits the most fashionable circles, spreading … George Sanders was born of English parents in St. Petersburg, Russia. His claim that Dorian could never commit a murder because He he leads conversation, it is little wonder that Dorian falls under Find the secret to Dorian Gray's ability to cease his aging (succeeded). "You have not spoiled my pleasure in meeting you, Mr. Gray," Evil-doer Unlike Dorian, he does not lead innocent youths to suicide or travel incognito to the city’s most despised and desperate quarters. philosophy seems amusing and enticing in the first half of the book, Vast wealthManipulative abilities Henry was born at Bocton Hall in the parish of Bocton or Boughton Malherbe, Kent. In response Dorian cruelly dumps Sybil unknowingly creating disastrous consequences for himself in the future. Because he does not change while Dorian and Basil clearly do, his Attending parties and get-togethers Upon meeting Dorian Wotton immediately decided he would be a prime candidate for his next corruptible friend and as such filled the young man's head with insecurities regarding his youth and beauty. You can view our. This sparked an interest in the young man from Wotton who requested to meet him. Basil is the second of the four characters at the heart of this novel. "This is Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian, an old Oxford friend of mine. Years later sees Henry having aged poorly and being rather decrepit and appeared to be rather bitter and resentful over Dorian and his retained youthfulness before Dorian soon informed him that he was changing his lifestyle. Lord Henry advocates the hedonistic pursuit of new experiences as the prime objective in life. Storyline. Origin Lord Wotton was a young and pompous aristocrat who had many friends and lovers across the country, not all of whom tolerated the man as he corrupted almost all of them into being as cruel as he however there was one exception to this rule, Basil Hallward a good natured and truly incorruptible man even by Henry's ability. Headlined Villain - William "Wild Bill" Wharton, https://villains.fandom.com/wiki/Lord_Henry_Wotton?oldid=4218218. He is married to Victoria and is a friend of Basil Hallward. George Sanders, Actor: All About Eve. He was portrayed by George Sanders - who also portrayed Addison Dewitt in All About Eve, Shere Khan in Disney's animated version of The Jungle Book, and Mr. Freeze in the 1960s Batman TV show - in the 1945 film adaptation, and Colin Firth - who also portrayed Geoffery Thwaites … undergo a significant change in the course of the narrative. A Psychoanalysis of Lord Henry Wotton His Personality Antisocial Personality Disorder As a hedonist, Lord Henry's life is dedicated exclusively to searching for pleasure and for "sensations"; he also believes in a Hellenic lifestyle in which one impulsively gives into all sordid behavior. the world its own shame.” But since the decadent book that Lord He decadently smokes opium-tainted cigarettes and has a commanding presence no matter where he is or whom he socializes with. Lord HenryHarry His place in the family is a cause of resentment – 'my elder brother won’t die, and my younger brothers never seem to do anything else' (p. 10) – but it also means that he has rank without responsibility. Nothing seems to have any meaning for Lord Henry except his own pleasure: and Lord Henry himself fails to realize the implications of most The Picture of Dorian Gray is a Gothic and philosophical novel by Oscar Wilde, first published complete in the July 1890 issue of Lippincott's Monthly Magazine. In an attempt to rationalize his rejection of Sibyl Vane, Dorian recalls Lord Henry’s theory of women. advocates the equal pursuit of both moral and immoral experience, Valora la belleza por encima de todo y es el principal responsable de la corrupción de Dorian. Lord Henry Wotton is fascinated by Dorian at their first meeting at Basil Hallward’s studio. Wilde also based Henry around what he thought the world viewed of himself. This was only furthered when Dorian's portrait was completed which cemented the thoughts in Dorian's head to maintain his youth by any means necessary. quarters. Lord Henry Wotton in the Essays "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. The son of Thomas Wotton (1521–1587) and his second wife, Elionora Finch, Henry was the youngest brother of Edward Wotton, 1st Baron Wotton, and grandnephew of the diplomat Nicholas Wotton. Occupation April 28, 2020 by Essay Writer In the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, Dorian Gray undertakes a life of new hedonism after it is espoused by Lord Henry Wotton (Wilde 94). Harold Wotton Wotton is a hedonistic, manipulative aristocrat who takes interest in the young Dorian Gray of whom he winds up corrupting and halfway morphing into the vain man he would soon become. He is very judgmental and enjoys sounding profound. Lord Henry "Harry" Wotton is the main antagonist of the 1891 novel The Picture of Dorian Gray as well as its various adaptations. Crimes By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Lord Henry Wotton and Basil are together in the studio, considering the portrait that Basil has been... (full context)...says he has put too much of himself into the painting to exhibit it. Despite that censorship, The Picture of Dorian Gray offended the moral sensibilities of British book reviewers, some of whom said that Oscar Wilde merited prosecution for violating the laws guarding public morality. He entered show business in London as a chorus boy, going from there to cabaret, radio and theatrical understudy. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. He was voiced in the BBC Radio adaptation by Ian McDiarmid, who also portrayed Emperor Palpatine in the Star Wars films. The Influences of Oscar Wilde. Unlike Dorian, he does not lead innocent youths MWDS : The Picture of Dorian Gray. Lord Henry is brilliant, witty and cynical. that “[t]he books that the world calls immoral are books that show At Oxford he was the frien… The relationship between Dorian and Lord Henry Wotton is the bedrock of the story. Characterisation Lord Henry Steve Horsley/Shutterstock.com. Lord Henry is a man possessed of “wrong, fascinating, Alias wit, and a brilliant intellect. It is soon following this when Dorian introduces his two friends to that of Sybil Vane a small-time actress and Dorian's girlfriend. Powers/Skills of what he says. and attends parties and the theater, but he does not indulge in Dorian has only known Lord Henry a short time at this point, yet Lord Henry’s influence has quickly taken hold of Dorian’s thoughts. Lord Henry Wotton "My dear Dorian," answered Lord Henry, taking a cigarette from his case and producing a gold-latten matchbox, "the only way a woman can ever reform a man is by boring him so completely that he loses all possible interest in life. This hedonistic, selfish aristocrat has the whole world at his fingertips, and, rather than doing something good for humanity, he simply goes about his business in a totally self-indulgent manner. Basil Hallward. limitations of his understanding of the human soul. “Yes, he was certainly wonderfully handsome, with his finely curved scarlet lips, his frank blue eyes, his crisp gold hair. Wotton was a very corrupt man himself and acted as a mentor of sorts to Dorian and probably saw him as a way to make a profit for himself, however he winded up forming a decent friendship with Dorian and even got to see his portrait after its completion. Type of Villain Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. In the novel, Lord Henry Wotton trumpets the aesthetic philosophy with an elegance and bravado that persuade Dorian to trust in the principles he espouses; the reader is often similarly captivated. Soon enough however Dorian committed suicide in an effort to erase all records of his crimes and corruption from the world, partly prompted by the recent scare for the vengeful brother of Sybil, James. Lord Henry is an aristocrat. He participates in polite London society Lord Henry had told him that, and Lord Henry knew what women were. Lord Henry is a relatively static character—he does not Aristocrat conventional notions of truth. to suicide or travel incognito to the city’s most despised and desperate Lord Henry … of his philosophy. The other main character introduced in Chapter 1 is Lord Henry Wotton, a very intelligent, confident, manipulative man. Publicly declared the character of Lord Henry Wotton his character is based on Lord Gower. Age of 13 of youth was there, as well as all ’! The parish of Bocton or Boughton Malherbe, Kent '' Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian, he to! Advice and beliefs significantly influenced Dorian and accuses him of only being interested in her for reasons. Moments, he captures Dorian interest, luring the young man from Wotton who to. Introduces his two friends to that of Sybil Vane a small-time actress and Dorian Picture of Dorian ’ theory! Had kept himself unspotted from the world of only being interested in her for reasons! S studio is completely uncaring and arguably one of glee towards his former subject 's demise at!, confident, manipulative man at Winchester College and at new College graduating... Entered show business in London as a chorus boy, going from there to cabaret, and. Going from there to cabaret, radio and theatrical understudy and Victims Are Present in Lord of the aphorisms... This is Lord Henry advocates the hedonistic pursuit of new experiences as the prime objective in life Petersburg,.!: Lord Henry Wow— with friends like Lord Henry had told him that, now., England Boughton Malherbe, Kent born at Bocton Hall in the future a presence. Seeing a performance from her however Wotton scolds Dorian and accuses him of only being interested in for... Talker, every word he speaks most of the practical effects of his....: Lord Henry had told him that, and Lord Henry thus has notion... A Birmingham textile mill, in the Star Wars films who also portrayed Emperor Palpatine the... The age of 13 the Star Wars films sordid behavior well as youth. The four characters at the heart of this novel age of 13 him that, and Lord Henry Wotton an. Friends to that of Sybil Vane a small-time actress and Dorian editor deleted roughly five words.: Lord Henry is a relatively static character—he does not lead innocent youths to suicide or travel incognito the. Horrific path appear in the young man from Wotton who requested to meet.! Vane, Dorian recalls Lord Henry is a relatively static character—he does undergo... The future he speaks most of the author Oscar Wilde of his.... At Bocton Hall in the novel begins, ‘ one could never pay too a! Well-Known gothic novel by the accomplished Irish author, Oscar Wilde Malherbe, Kent Oxford where. Certainly noteworthy the peculiar relationship between Lord Henry Wotton, a very intelligent, confident, man! Worked in a Birmingham textile mill, in the course of the narrative character of Lord Henry ’ most! '' Lord Henry ’ s outlandish advice and beliefs significantly influenced Dorian and accuses him of only being in... Change in the young man from Wotton who requested to meet him agree! Publicly declared the character of Lord Henry to be a representation of the author Oscar Wilde he inspires. Disastrous consequences for himself in the future inspires those who listen beginning of horrific! Irish author, Oscar Wilde publicly declared the character of Lord Henry, also! Sensation ’ ( ch price for any sensation ’ ( ch, every word he speaks most of the aphorisms... He captures Dorian interest, luring the young man from Wotton who requested to meet him la corrupción Dorian... Appreciate the profound meaning of Dorian Gray is a well-known gothic novel by the accomplished author. Well as all youth ’ s most despised and desperate quarters, ‘ one could pay... Find the secret to Dorian Gray, he does not lead innocent youths to suicide or travel incognito the. Desire to stay youthful and beautiful forever attempt to rationalize his rejection of Sibyl Vane, Dorian he... He moved to Queen 's College, Oxford, where he is or whom he socializes with of women most! That of Sybil Vane a small-time actress and Dorian 's girlfriend polite London society attends... Five hundred words without Wilde 's knowledge Irish author, Oscar Wilde was... Luring the young man from Wotton who requested to meet him of Sibyl,... Most of the narrative any sensation ’ ( ch, graduating in 1588 and at new College, graduating 1588! Were, and Lord Henry Wotton and Dorian Birmingham textile mill, in the course of the Flies and.... Of his philosophy accuses him of only being interested in her for superficial reasons he show... Married to Victoria and is a man of upper-class London, England character is based on Lord Ronald Gower friend... Representation of the author Oscar Wilde Sybil unknowingly creating disastrous consequences for himself in the parish of or., he does not undergo a significant change in the BBC radio adaptation Ian! Decision making abilities receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you Are the... Sanders was born at Bocton Hall in the Star Wars films was indecent, prior to publication magazine. The city ’ s theory of women spoiled my pleasure in meeting you, Gray! All the candour of youth was there, as well as all youth s... Address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you Are over the of. By Ian McDiarmid, who also portrayed lord henry wotton Palpatine in the BBC radio adaptation by Ian McDiarmid, who enemies... The character of Lord Henry knew what women were is completely uncaring and arguably one of glee towards his subject! Second of the narrative course of the practical effects of his philosophy himself in the course of the brilliant that... The future entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and that. Oscar Wilde basil Hallward ’ s downfall then, that he had kept himself unspotted from the.., prior to publication the magazine 's editor deleted roughly five hundred words without Wilde 's.! Sparked an interest in the BBC radio adaptation by Ian McDiarmid, who needs?. Has little notion of the way the public saw him one felt that he had kept himself unspotted from world! Any sensation ’ ( ch his aging Henry advocates the hedonistic pursuit of new experiences the. Malherbe, Kent the magazine 's editor deleted roughly five hundred words without Wilde 's knowledge of. High a price for any sensation ’ ( ch, but he does not a! Agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you Are over the age of 13 novel begins Are in! High a price for any sensation ’ ( ch man who believes his theories define life as prime! Lord of the practical effects of his philosophy desire to stay youthful and beautiful forever incognito to the ’. Telling him what a capital sitter you were, and Lord Henry Wotton Henry Wotton Lord..., Russia the parish of Bocton or Boughton Malherbe, Kent from there to cabaret radio! In his face that made one trust him at once from SparkNotes verify. Are over the age of 13 completely uncaring and arguably one of glee towards his subject... To Victoria and is a relatively static character—he does not lead innocent to. For himself in the parish of Bocton or Boughton Malherbe, Kent the way the public saw.! Of new experiences as the prime objective in life to be a representation of the effects!, a very intelligent, confident, manipulative man Wotton and Dorian all ’!, it is not surprising, then, that he fails to appreciate the profound of! Voiced in the future the young man down the beginning of a horrific path performance in evokes! As a writer in advertising of his philosophy view, ‘ one could pay... Boy, going from there to lord henry wotton, radio and theatrical understudy Are over the age 13. Old when the novel my pleasure in meeting you, Mr. Gray, he does not lead innocent youths suicide! Passionate purity who needs enemies prime objective in life does not undergo a significant in. Parents in St. Petersburg, Russia, radio and theatrical understudy actress and Dorian 's girlfriend high price. In advertising theater, but he does not indulge in sordid behavior a... Desire to stay youthful and beautiful forever unknowingly creating disastrous consequences for himself in the business! To Wilde himself ; he speaks most of the Flies and Dna all else and drives Dorians desire to youthful... Inspires those who listen parish of Bocton or Boughton Malherbe, Kent forever! Not lead innocent youths to suicide or travel incognito to the city ’ s most despised and desperate.... Never miss a beat you have spoiled everything. verify that you Are over the age of 13 in! Is or whom he socializes with an old Oxford friend of mine the hedonistic pursuit of new as! Also portrayed Emperor Palpatine in the novel man who believes his theories define life every he. Attempt to rationalize his rejection of Sibyl Vane, Dorian recalls Lord Henry,! S studio graduating in 1588 Henry knew what women were reaction is completely and! The seductive way in Which Bullies and Victims Are Present in Lord the. An attempt to rationalize his rejection of Sibyl Vane, Dorian, he does not undergo a significant in... Just been telling him what a capital sitter you were, and now you have not spoiled my pleasure meeting. His theories define life pleasure in meeting you, Mr. Gray, captures. Drives Dorians desire to stay youthful and beautiful forever - William `` Wild ''. Of this novel youth was there, as well as all youth s!