Basil Hallward is a talented and kind painter who sees Dorian as a sort of muse, a subject for his paintings who makes him reconsider the way he makes art. Basil maintains an intense emotional investment in Dorian throughout the book, and feels very protective of him- especially against the influence of Lord Henry. Lord Henry is a hedonistic and incredibly charming member of London's upper class who strongly influences Dorian towards a life of seeking pleasure and disregard for morality. He provides Dorian with a book that drastically changes his worldview and a philosophy of seeking new pleasures and experiences.
The two characters are quite different; where Basil is conventional, focused, and extremely protective of Dorian, Lord Henry is pleasure-seeking, radical, and interested in pushing Dorian towards a life of decadence and disregard for conventional morality. Basil is dedicated to protecting his favorite subject, while Lord Henry is determined to introduce him to new experiences, regardless of whether or not they are moral. The major thing they have in common is an intense interest in Dorian, and an investment in his personal decisions.
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