The Picture of Dorian Gray is a philosophical novel by Irish writer Oscar Wilde. A shorter novella-length version was published in the July 1890 issue of the American periodical Lippincott's Monthly Magazine. The novel-length version was published in April 1891.
The story revolves around a portrait of Dorian Gray painted by Basil Hallward, a friend of Dorian's and an artist infatuated with Dorian's beauty. Through Basil, Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton and is soon enthralled by the aristocrat's hedonistic worldview: that beauty and sensual fulfillment are the only things worth pursuing in life. Newly understanding that his beauty will fade, Dorian expresses the desire to sell his soul, to ensure that the picture, rather than he, will age and fade.
The wish is granted, and Dorian pursues a libertine life of varied amoral experiences while staying young and beautiful; all the while, his portrait ages and visually records every one of Dorian's sins.
Wilde's only novel, it was subject to much controversy and criticism in its time but has come to be recognized as a classic of gothic literature.
Summary:
In late Victorian London, a beautiful young man is given a portrait of himself by an admiring artist. Soon after this, he treats a young woman cruelly and then notices that his portrait seems to look meaner than it used to.
Eventually, he cannot endure the portrait and hides it in the attic. As the years pass, he becomes ever more unscrupulous and dissolute. His friends remark how he is as handsome as ever and never seems to age. But up in the attic, his picture becomes uglier and uglier.
The Play:
Director - Nini Chakvetadze
Set/Costume Designer - Giorgi Ustiashvili
Cast:
Dorian Gray - Erekle Getsadze
Henry Wotton - Jeji Skhirtladze
Basil Hallward - Shako Mirianashvili
Sibyl Vane - Ekaterine Demetradze
Alan Campbell - Giorgi Bakhutashvili
James Vane - Gigi Qarseladze
The Movie:
1973, UK
The Director: Glenn Jordan
Stars: Charles Aidman, William Beckley, Shane Briant
Writers: Oscar Wilde, John Tomerlin
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your comment is awaiting moderation.