Name: The Castle of Otranto
Author: Horace Walpole
ISBN: 9780191009617

The Castle of Otranto

Horace Walpole

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Author Description

'look, My Lord! See Heaven Itself Declares Against Your Impious Intentions!' The Castle Of Otranto (1764) Is The First Supernatural English Novel And One Of The Most Influential Works Of Gothic Fiction. It Inaugurated A Literary Genre That Will Be Forever Associated With The Effects That Walpole Pioneered. Professing To Be A Translation Of A Mysterious Italian Tale From The Darkest Middle Ages, The Novel Tells Of Manfred, Prince Of Otranto, Whose Fear Of An Ancient Prophecy Sets Him On A Course Of Destruction. After The Grotesque Death Of His Only Son, Conrad, On His Wedding Day, Manfred Determines To Marry The Bride-to-be. The Virgin Isabella Flees Through A Castle Riddled With Secret Passages. Chilling Coincidences, Ghostly Visitations, Arcane Revelations, And Violent Combat Combine In A Heady Mix That Terrified The Novel's First Readers. In This New Edition Nick Groom Examines The Reasons For Its Extraordinary Impact And The Gothic Culture From Which It Sprang. The Castle Of Otranto Was A Game-changer, And Walpole The Writer Who Paved The Way For Modern Horror Exponents. About The Series: For Over 100 Years Oxford World's Classics Has Made Available The Widest Range Of Literature From Around The Globe. Each Affordable Volume Reflects Oxford's Commitment To Scholarship, Providing The Most Accurate Text Plus A Wealth Of Other Valuable Features, Including Expert Introductions By Leading Authorities, Helpful Notes To Clarify The Text, Up-to-date Bibliographies For Further Study, And Much More.

Menrva's Summary

THE PULSE

Manfred, the Prince of Otranto, initiates a cycle of ruin when he attempts to secure his lineage following the sudden, inexplicable death of his son. Driven by a desperate need to preserve his dynasty, Manfred pursues the intended bride of his deceased heir, forcing her to navigate the labyrinthine corridors of his ancestral home. The narrative utilizes a dramatic, heightened tone to explore themes of usurpation, divine retribution, and ancestral curses. The story unfolds through a series of rapid, often startling events that emphasize the vulnerability of the characters against both human cruelty and supernatural intervention.

INSIDE THE PAGES

Use of an ancient, ominous prophecy as a primary plot driver
Incorporation of architectural elements like secret passages and subterranean vaults
Frequent appearances of spectral or supernatural phenomena
Focus on the psychological desperation of a tyrannical protagonist
High-stakes pursuit sequences within a confined, claustrophobic setting
Integration of melodramatic dialogue and intense emotional reactions
Emphasis on the contrast between innocence and corrupt authority
Stylistic imitation of medieval chronicles to establish an air of authenticity

THE COLLECTIVE ECHO

Readers and critics frequently identify this work as the foundational text of the Gothic genre, noting its role in establishing tropes that remain prevalent in horror literature. Discussion often centers on the novel's rapid pacing and its reliance on coincidence to propel the plot forward. While some modern readers find the prose style dated, many appreciate the historical significance of the atmospheric tension Walpole created. The text is consistently analyzed for its influence on later writers who sought to explore the intersection of human ambition and the uncanny. Scholars highlight how the work successfully transitioned the novel away from realism toward the exploration of fear and the sublime.

Page Count:
176

Publication Date:
2014-01-01

Publisher:
Oup Oxford

ISBN-10:
019100961X

ISBN-13:
9780191009617

Horror

Fiction

Supernatural

Gothic

Historical

classic