The Castle of Otranto – a Gothic Novel
The Castle of Otranto – A Gothic Novel
Picture of the Title Page of the Second Edition
A Dossier by Luisa Hiller, Johannes Klein, Benjamin Priebst, and Claudia Haack
Table of Contents:
1. Introduction – The Gothic Novel
2. Horace Walpole
2.1. The Life of Horace Walpole
2.2. The Works of Horace Walpole
3. “The Castle of Otranto - A Gothic Novel“
3.1. Introduction
3.2. Index of Characters
3.3. Summary of the Plot
3.4. The Characters ' Appearance
3.5. The Character Constellation
3.6. Gothic Elements in The Castle of Otranto
4. Bibliography
1. Introduction – The Gothic Novel
In the first half of the 18th century the word “Gothic” was mainly related to the Nordic invaders, the Goths, who were disliked because of their barbarous behaviour and their brutal invasion. Therefore “gothic” had a pejorative connotation, which, nevertheless, changed in the middle of the 18th century into a word being related to supernatural and fantastic events.
The first gothic novel appeared in 1764, when Horace Walpole´s “The Castle of Otranto” was published. From this time on to approximately 1820 there was an explosion of gothic writings, which almost turned into addiction, especially for the female readership, who were craving for popular entertainment.
This form of writing dominated British literature during this period and can be described as a hybrid between novel and romance, also encompassing drama and poetry.
Though the gothic novel had many critics, it became unexpectedly successful due to the fact that it signified morality, beauty, a lack of reason and feudal beliefs which formed, at that time, a sharp contrast to the actual values of the Age of Enlightenment. Consequently, the gothic novel functioned as a mirror of 18th century conventions and values.
The emergence of this new development in literature implied the assumption that there was a need for sacred and transcendent forces due to the denial of the existence of supernatural
Picture of the Title Page of the Second Edition
A Dossier by Luisa Hiller, Johannes Klein, Benjamin Priebst, and Claudia Haack
Table of Contents:
1. Introduction – The Gothic Novel
2. Horace Walpole
2.1. The Life of Horace Walpole
2.2. The Works of Horace Walpole
3. “The Castle of Otranto - A Gothic Novel“
3.1. Introduction
3.2. Index of Characters
3.3. Summary of the Plot
3.4. The Characters ' Appearance
3.5. The Character Constellation
3.6. Gothic Elements in The Castle of Otranto
4. Bibliography
1. Introduction – The Gothic Novel
In the first half of the 18th century the word “Gothic” was mainly related to the Nordic invaders, the Goths, who were disliked because of their barbarous behaviour and their brutal invasion. Therefore “gothic” had a pejorative connotation, which, nevertheless, changed in the middle of the 18th century into a word being related to supernatural and fantastic events.
The first gothic novel appeared in 1764, when Horace Walpole´s “The Castle of Otranto” was published. From this time on to approximately 1820 there was an explosion of gothic writings, which almost turned into addiction, especially for the female readership, who were craving for popular entertainment.
This form of writing dominated British literature during this period and can be described as a hybrid between novel and romance, also encompassing drama and poetry.
Though the gothic novel had many critics, it became unexpectedly successful due to the fact that it signified morality, beauty, a lack of reason and feudal beliefs which formed, at that time, a sharp contrast to the actual values of the Age of Enlightenment. Consequently, the gothic novel functioned as a mirror of 18th century conventions and values.
The emergence of this new development in literature implied the assumption that there was a need for sacred and transcendent forces due to the denial of the existence of supernatural
Bibliography: Walpole, Horace. The Castle of Otranto.1764. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1964.