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The Picture of Dorian Gray Allusions & Cultural References

When authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.

Literary, Mythological, and Philosophical References

  • Adonis, myth (1.7)
  • Narcissus, myth (1.7)
  • Austin Henry Dobson, "To A Greek Girl" (1.20)
  • Antinoüs, myth (1.20)
  • Plato (3.5)
  • Bacchus and Silenus, myth (3.16)
  • Antoine de la Sale, Les Cent Nouvelles (4.1)
  • William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet (4.10, 6.2, 8.17)
  • William Shakespeare, As You Like It (4.10, 6.3, 7.15)
  • William Shakespeare, Cymbeline (4.12, 8.17)
  • Giordano Bruno (4.19)
  • William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice (7.15)
  • William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing (7.15)
  • William Shakespeare, King Lear (7.15)
  • William Shakespeare, Othello (8.17)
  • William Shakespeare, Hamlet (8.17)
  • Michel de Montaigne (10.7)
  • Dante Alighieri (11.6)
  • Théophile Gautier (11.6)
  • Satyricon (11.8)
  • The Lord's Prayer (13.9)
  • Bible, Isaiah 1:18 (13.10)
  • Théophile Gautier, Émaux et Camées (14.9)
  • Molière, Tartuffe (17.2)
  • William Shakespeare, The Winter's Tale (19.2)
  • William Shakespeare, Hamlet (19.2)

Historical References

  • Marguerite de Navarre (4.1, 15.9)
  • Messalina (6.2)
  • Darwinismus / Charles Darwin (11.13)
  • Anne de Joyeuse (11.17)
  • Marco Polo (11.19)
  • Charles of Orléans (11.22)
  • Catherine de Médicis (11.22)
  • Louis XIV (11.22)

Art and Music References

  • Michaelangelo Buonarotti (3.5, 10.7)
  • Claude Michel Clodion (4.1)
  • Richard Wagner, Lohengrin (4.4)
  • Adelina Patti (8.16)
  • Johann Joachim Winckelmann (10.7)
  • Richard Wagner, Tannhäuser (11.16)
  • Fréderic Chopin (19.9)