In the novel The Picture of Dorian Grey homosexuality is an important aspect of the novel, and the book
             deserves credit as a pioneering depection of homosexual relationships in serious English fiction. The depection
             of homosexualtity in the book is undoubtedly shaped by Wilde's personal ambivalences toward his own
             sexuality which is found expressed both in idealized love affairs and in liaisions with prostitutes. It is important
             to stress that the novels primary intrest is literaty rather than biographical, and that Wilde hints at homosexuality
             rather than expresses it directly. Homosexual readers would certainly have responded to the book's under
             current of gay feeling, and may have found the very name Dorian suggestive of Greek homosexuality, since it
             was the Dorian tribesman who allegedly intorduced homosexuality into Greece as part of their military regimen.
             Wilde purposely leaves the exact nature of the sins of Dorian Grey mysterious and vague, suggested but not
             Wilde's attitude toward homosexuality in the novel may best be seen in his portrayal of Basil Hallward.
             Hallward is the character mast clearly defined as homosexual, and it is significant that he is presented as the
             most morally sensitive character as well. His love for Dorian seems altogther noble, especially in contrast to the
             blandishments of Lord Henry, his rival for the young man's affection. In the triangle formed by the competition
             of the two older men for the attention of the beautiful boy, Basil represents an idealized, platonized
             homosexuality, linked to a long tradidtion of art and philosophy. Wilde conceives of Basil's homosexual love
             for Dorian as something positive but dangerous, an emotion that inspires guilt and fear: measures , respetively,
             of the internal and external condemnations brought to bear against homosexuality.
             In the end it seems that it is Basil homosexual love for Dorian th...