Lord Henry's sociopathy


After watching this picture with the wife, we have been talking about Lord Henry...specifically how he instigated so much of the story's happenings, and yet shows absolutely no remorse or concern that he's done these things. The opening did state he was a person that got his pleasure not from doing things himself, but convincing others to do them and observing the outcome.

BTW, I've read the novel a couple times so I'm well familiar with the story and its history.

A good example is how he put the idea into Dorian's head to test Sibyl Vane. After planting this seed and seeing the outcome, he visits Dorian and tells him (in a very casual, unconcerned manner) to not let it worry him, that she was already unbalanced, and that he wished someone would've killed themself over him.

Then he says Dorian should come dine with him and join him at the opera. Everyone will be there, he says. As he leaves he's humming a refrain from the opera cheerfully.

And all this after he instigated an incident that resulted in a young woman's suicide. I suppose I could understand if he had simply caused an end to the relationship, but in this case someone died and it bothered him not one bit.

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Henry Wotten is Mephistopheles to Dorian's Faust.

The Devil is a sociopath without empathy. He manipulates others for his own amusement. His only redeeming trait is his sophistication and urbanity and only those who can see through him should tolerate his presence without exposing their weaknesses.


The Fabio Principle: Puffy shirts look best on men who look even better without them.

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Wow, someone actually responded! Thanks...I thought it was a decent topic for discussion but apparently no one else did.

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Just saw your post now. I adore this movie and yes, Lord Henry is not the least bit human. He manipulates everyone and has no feelings. At the very end when he see Dorian in his natural state, the is maybe a second where he seems to be upset. But I'm sure I'm mistaken.

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The terrifying thing is not just his lack of remorse or fear of consequences, but that he is teaching Gray to have no remorse or fear of consequences.


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Lord Henry was a replica of Oscar Wilde. Yes, it was a difficult character, but he displayed the audacity and humor of Oscar Wilde. I enjoyed the character.

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[deleted]

I wonder if Wilde was in the habit of manipulating his friends into committing acts that eventually led to the ruin (or end) people's lives.

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