Homoerotic Codes in The Picture of Dorian Gray

Abstract: Although Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891) is considered to be one of the best known homoerotic novels ever written, the novel does not contain any explicit statements of homoeroticism which leaves the novel to be more of a suggestive work of such a theme. The aim of this essay is to examine some of the different codes used by Wilde to show a homoerotic theme in The Picture of Dorian Gray. By codes I mean indications consciously or unconsciously inserted by the author towards a homoerotic theme. The focus will be placed on major codes, such as aestheticism, Hellenism, secrecy and shame and effeminacy.