Page 1 of 26 Gothic Critical Appreciation
Text Context Summary
'The Castle 1st Gothic novel in the English language. Fantasy set Manfred, tyrannical Prince of Otranto. His son Conrad is to marry
of Otranto’ in chivalric Middle Ages. Isabella (daughter of Marquis) but Conrad found dead in courtyard
by Horace Literary springboard for discussion on the questions crushed beneath giant black helmet that fell from a statue.
Walpole of marriage, questions Henry VIII’s annulment of his Supernatural occurrence unleashes train of events leading to
(1764) marriage and later marriage to Anne Boleyn - heated mysterious deaths and haunting, culminating restoration of rightful heir
topics of controversy especially in a constantly as rule of Otranto. Manfred decides to divorce wife Hippolita and marry
changing religious England. Need for a heir to secure Isabella to produce heir he needs to retain control of the realm but
the dynasty. Isabella is horrified and flees from the castle by underground passages.
Isabella helped by young peasant Theodore imprisoned in the castle.
She escapes and seeks safety with Father Jerome. Birthmark on
Theodore’s neck shows he is the priest’s son before he entered
priesthood when he was the prince of Falconara. Priest begs Manfred
for his son’s life but Manfred will only release him if Isabella is returned.
The giant form of the rightful prince Alfonso appears and proclaims
Theodore’s right of succession and ascends to heaven. After daring
rescues and thrilling escapes the novel concludes with Prince Manfred
accidentally murdering his daughter in stead of Isabella. His sorrow for
his loss is so terrible that the castle walls collapse. Manfred and his wife
vow to lead a good religious life. Theodore marries Isabella and rules
Otranto as prince.
The Monk’ Manipulates female role, reduced to spectacles Madrid - Leonella and niece Antonia attend service of famed monk Ambrosio. Antonia -
beautiful, Lorenzo attends service and instantly falls in love. Antonia’s mother in city,
by Matthew through brutal treatment. Innocent characters try to
seeks help of Raymond, Lorenzo’s friend. Elvira and husband flees city as father-in-law
Lewis create better lives for themselves. Unhappy Raymond unhappy with marriage. Leaves son behind who was said to have died. Elvira in
(1796) weddings for women. Marriage still portrays anti- Madrid asks Raymond to reinstate pension from Marquis. Lorenzo vows to marry Antonio
feminist qualities. but visits sister Agnes - nun/ On walk home, gypsy tells Antonia she’s fated to die soon at
hand of someone seeming honourable. Nuns visit Ambrosio for confession inc. Agnes who
Gender is blurred In the unreliable characters. Bodies mistakenly drops letter from Raymond revealing they plan to run away together. Agnes
sexualised, ambiguous objects. Cunning female admits her pregnancy. Ambrosio reveals to Prioress and sends Agnes away for
characters. Obvious gender role reversals. Men punishment, she curses Ambrosio. Ambrosio returns to abbey with company Rosario
portrayed femininely - weak MC, normally seen from admitting he’s a woman name Matilda disguising herself to be close to Ambrosio. Tells
her he must throw her out but she begs him not to saying she will kill herself. Decides to
female characters in earlier Gothic novels. Protected leave next day but asks Ambrosio to pick her a rose so she can remember him. Bitten by
and ignorant of the world and temptations raised in a snake which would kill him. Matilda nurses him, cured, miracle. Matilda admits to sucking
monastery - feminine position like a young girl the poison out of his wound, dying, begs him to make love to her before dying and he
protected to keep their virtue and innocence. succumbs. Lorenzo confronts Raymond about being sister's lover. Raymond explains they
fell in love in Europe where they came across bandits and ghosts. Agnes’ mother fell in
love with Raymond so she was sent to the nunnery. Raymond and Agnes met nightly to
declare love for each other. Lorenzo agrees to help Agnes escape and elope with
Raymond. Lorenzo meets Elvira to ask for Antiona’s hand. Elvira tries to convince him
otherwise concerned Antonia’s low birth won’t be enough for Lorenzo’s family, left in
distress like herself. Lorenzo assures her otherwise. Tries to visit Agnes but told she is too
Text Context Summary
'The Castle 1st Gothic novel in the English language. Fantasy set Manfred, tyrannical Prince of Otranto. His son Conrad is to marry
of Otranto’ in chivalric Middle Ages. Isabella (daughter of Marquis) but Conrad found dead in courtyard
by Horace Literary springboard for discussion on the questions crushed beneath giant black helmet that fell from a statue.
Walpole of marriage, questions Henry VIII’s annulment of his Supernatural occurrence unleashes train of events leading to
(1764) marriage and later marriage to Anne Boleyn - heated mysterious deaths and haunting, culminating restoration of rightful heir
topics of controversy especially in a constantly as rule of Otranto. Manfred decides to divorce wife Hippolita and marry
changing religious England. Need for a heir to secure Isabella to produce heir he needs to retain control of the realm but
the dynasty. Isabella is horrified and flees from the castle by underground passages.
Isabella helped by young peasant Theodore imprisoned in the castle.
She escapes and seeks safety with Father Jerome. Birthmark on
Theodore’s neck shows he is the priest’s son before he entered
priesthood when he was the prince of Falconara. Priest begs Manfred
for his son’s life but Manfred will only release him if Isabella is returned.
The giant form of the rightful prince Alfonso appears and proclaims
Theodore’s right of succession and ascends to heaven. After daring
rescues and thrilling escapes the novel concludes with Prince Manfred
accidentally murdering his daughter in stead of Isabella. His sorrow for
his loss is so terrible that the castle walls collapse. Manfred and his wife
vow to lead a good religious life. Theodore marries Isabella and rules
Otranto as prince.
The Monk’ Manipulates female role, reduced to spectacles Madrid - Leonella and niece Antonia attend service of famed monk Ambrosio. Antonia -
beautiful, Lorenzo attends service and instantly falls in love. Antonia’s mother in city,
by Matthew through brutal treatment. Innocent characters try to
seeks help of Raymond, Lorenzo’s friend. Elvira and husband flees city as father-in-law
Lewis create better lives for themselves. Unhappy Raymond unhappy with marriage. Leaves son behind who was said to have died. Elvira in
(1796) weddings for women. Marriage still portrays anti- Madrid asks Raymond to reinstate pension from Marquis. Lorenzo vows to marry Antonio
feminist qualities. but visits sister Agnes - nun/ On walk home, gypsy tells Antonia she’s fated to die soon at
hand of someone seeming honourable. Nuns visit Ambrosio for confession inc. Agnes who
Gender is blurred In the unreliable characters. Bodies mistakenly drops letter from Raymond revealing they plan to run away together. Agnes
sexualised, ambiguous objects. Cunning female admits her pregnancy. Ambrosio reveals to Prioress and sends Agnes away for
characters. Obvious gender role reversals. Men punishment, she curses Ambrosio. Ambrosio returns to abbey with company Rosario
portrayed femininely - weak MC, normally seen from admitting he’s a woman name Matilda disguising herself to be close to Ambrosio. Tells
her he must throw her out but she begs him not to saying she will kill herself. Decides to
female characters in earlier Gothic novels. Protected leave next day but asks Ambrosio to pick her a rose so she can remember him. Bitten by
and ignorant of the world and temptations raised in a snake which would kill him. Matilda nurses him, cured, miracle. Matilda admits to sucking
monastery - feminine position like a young girl the poison out of his wound, dying, begs him to make love to her before dying and he
protected to keep their virtue and innocence. succumbs. Lorenzo confronts Raymond about being sister's lover. Raymond explains they
fell in love in Europe where they came across bandits and ghosts. Agnes’ mother fell in
love with Raymond so she was sent to the nunnery. Raymond and Agnes met nightly to
declare love for each other. Lorenzo agrees to help Agnes escape and elope with
Raymond. Lorenzo meets Elvira to ask for Antiona’s hand. Elvira tries to convince him
otherwise concerned Antonia’s low birth won’t be enough for Lorenzo’s family, left in
distress like herself. Lorenzo assures her otherwise. Tries to visit Agnes but told she is too
