The Castle of Otranto (Cyclopedia of Literary Places)
At a glance:
- Author: Horace Walpole
- First Published: 1765
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Gothic
- Time of Work: Thirteenth century
- Genres: Long fiction, Fantasy, Gothic fiction
- Subjects: Love or romance, Murder or homicide, Supernatural, Escapes, Mistaken or secret identity, Inheritance or succession, Castles, Ambition, Heroes or heroism, Italy or Italians, Middle Ages, Giants, Princes or princesses, Twelfth century
- Locales: Italy
Places Discussed
Otranto. Large estate dominated by a castle in Sicily. The massive details of the medieval castle and the rich surrounding territory, ruled by Manfred, prince of Otranto, represent the haunting presence of the past in modern times. Part of the castle’s armament falls on Manfred’s son, crushing him, and the castle itself crumbles to the ground. Through these actions Walpole dramatizes the inescapable burden of the past. This reveals the pressure of the father on the son and the obligation that the younger generation always assumes to forge something new from...
[The entire page is 704 words long]
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