Dorian Gray quotes from Penny Dreadful

Dorian

Once you get used to something, why bother? It's just repetition.

Dorian

Photographs are so ironically impermanent. They capture one moment in time to perfection. A painting can capture eternity.

Sir, you shouldn't.

Dorian Gray

I don't know the word.

Dorian

It was more of a... random invitation.

Vanessa

Do you get many of those?

Dorian

Entirely.

Vanessa

You could say "no."

Dorian

I never say "no."

Vanessa

I wasn't skeptical about the room.

Dorian

What then? Shall I guess?

Vanessa

Have on, Mr. Gray.

Dorian

You do not belong here. Even less than I. You are not frivolous. Your eye is careful and appraising. This is not a careful room, although there is much to appraise. That can divert you for only so long. You do not like it here. You are closed to it. Yet... you're the only woman in this house not wearing gloves. Your hands want to touch, but your head wants to appraise. Your heart is torn between the two. You were skeptical because you thought... This was going to be a wasted evening, but now you're not so sure.

Dorian

What does it say to you?

Vanessa

Touch me with your finger, softly.

Vanessa

Is it poisonous?

Dorian

Like all beautiful things, I hope so.

Dorian

I suppose we all play parts.

Ethan

What's yours?

Dorian

Human.

Ethan

You ever wish you could be someone else? Just run away from your life?

Dorian

All the time.

Dorian

You want to be someone else? Come with me.

Ethan

Does it involve a drink?

Dorian

Many.

Dorian

I come bearing an adventure.

Vanessa

When do you not?

Dorian

So... you've discovered my secret. Forever unchanging. My sins made manifest only here. At times I've deceived myself into thinking I'm other than this. Don't we all want to paint ourselves into something better than we are? But that... is truly who I am, Angelique. Can you accept me as I am? Can you love me?

Yes. [drinks Dorian's wine and dies.]

Dorian

I don't think you can.

Justine

Ever so charming, aren't you? All charm, and nothing but. There may come a day when that ain't enough.

Dorian

And are you to choose that day?

Justine

You wanted a killer. You got one. Can't go back now.

Dorian

Listen, child. I can toss you out like the baggage you are whenever it pleases me. And don't think for one moment your tiresome Sapphic escapades shock me. You think you're bold? You think you know sin? You're still learning the language. I wrote the bloody book. [grabs her by the throat] You want to play with me, kitten? Then show me your claws!

Dorian

In my time, I have seen a thousand Lilys. Beating their breasts, burning too bright and too wild. I understand she dazzled you, but she's gone now. Trust me when I tell you, you are lucky. You have glimpsed liberty, and that is more than most ever know. Go back to your short little life, or build a new one. I don't care in the slightest.

Justine

I can't go back. I can't live that way again.

Dorian

You will be surprised with what one can live with.

Justine

I won't go back.

Dorian

The choice isn't yours to make, child.

Justine

But it is. I would rather die here on my feet than live a lifetime on my knees.

Dorian

Do you mean that? As you wish.

Dorian

Do you not yet comprehend the wicked secret of the immortal? All age and die, save you. All rot and fall to dust, save you. Any child you bear becomes a crone and perishes before your eyes. Any lover withers and shrinks into incontinence and bent, toothless senility, while you, only you, never age, never die, never fade - alone. But after a time you'll lose the desire for passion entirely, for connection with anyone, like a muscle that atrophies from lack of use. [glances at the portraits] And one day you will realize that you have become like them - beautiful and dead. You have become a perfect portrait of yourself.

Lily

An eternity without passion, without affection, caring for nobody...

Dorian

[smiles] A small price to pay for such immortal perfection, don't you think?

Lily

Goodbye, Dorian. I hope they watch over you.

Dorian

You'll be back, and I'll be here. [pause] I'll always be here.