Summary
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole is widely regarded as the first Gothic novel, laying the foundation for a genre that would captivate readers for centuries.
First published in 1764, the story blends medieval romance with supernatural horror in a dark, mysterious setting filled with ancient prophecies, haunted castles, and tragic destinies.
The plot centers on Manfred, the lord of Otranto, who is desperate to secure his family’s lineage after a mysterious and deadly event threatens his only son's life. When a prophecy foretells the downfall of his house, Manfred resorts to increasingly tyrannical and irrational actions—including trying to marry his late son’s fiancée. But as ghostly apparitions and inexplicable events unfold within the castle’s halls, fate—and justice—close in.
With its dramatic twists, stormy settings, and exploration of power, guilt, and destiny, The Castle of Otranto introduced the core elements of Gothic literature: the brooding villain, the virtuous heroine, ancestral curses, and the blurred line between reality and the supernatural.