Jan 3, 2010

The Castle of Otranto | The Castle of Otranto

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]

The Castle of Otranto | The Castle of Otranto

At a glance:

Places Discussed

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