Horace Walpole

Obra que dio origen a la llamada «novela gótica», EL CASTILLO DE OTRANTO comenzó a forjar el tenebroso imaginario formado por ominosos castillos provistos de lúgubres mazmorras, por una naturaleza so

Medievalism, terror, and the ubiquitous haunted castle are staples of the Gothic horror genre. But the man who unwittingly inspired the likes of Frankenstein, Dracula, Hammer horror movies and even the Goth subculture was blissfully unaware of his impact.Horace Walpoles The Castle of Otranto started a trend that has endured. The book features Manfred, lord of the castle, and includes sickness, weddings, doom-laden prophesies, a bizarre death, imprisonment, religion, a heroic peasant, and much more.There is a hint of Harry Potter and plenty to grip those who love shows like The Haunting of Hill House and Penny Dreadful.

In his pioneering Gothic novel, "The Castle of Otranto," Horace Walpole intricately weaves a tale imbued with elements of the supernatural and the macabre. Set against a backdrop of medieval architecture and mysterious castles, the narrative follows the tragic events surrounding the titular castle, where family secrets and ominous prophecies intertwine. Walpoles stylistic choices reflect the early 18th-century fascination with romanticism, blending poetic prose with a somber atmosphere. The novel serves as a precursor to the Gothic genre, flirting with themes of terror, romantic despair, and the uncanny, while employing a narrative technique that invokes suspense through both action and the characters psychological turmoil. Horace Walpole, an English writer, art historian, and politician, drew heavily on his own experiences and historical interests to craft "The Castle of Otranto." His upbringing in a politically active family and his extensive engagement with art and literature cultivated an environment ripe for creative expression. As a patron of the arts and an aficionado of antiquities, Walpole was profoundly influenced by the ideas of his time, leading him to explore the intersection of history, fiction, and human emotion in his writing. This essential read is highly recommended for those interested in the foundations of the Gothic tradition and the exploration of human psychology within the confines of literature. Walpoles engaging narrative style, combined with his innovative approach to storytelling, makes "The Castle of Otranto" a captivating experience that continues to influence writers and enthrall readers.

The following work was found in the library of an ancient Catholic family in the north of England. It was printed at Naples, in the black letter, in the year 1529. How much sooner it was written does not appear. The principal incidents are such as were believed in the darkest ages of Christianity; but the language and conduct have nothing that savours of barbarism. The style is the purest Italian.If the story was written near the time when it is supposed to have happened, it must have been between 1095, the era of the first Crusade, and 1243, the date of the last, or not long afterwards. There is no other circumstance in the work that can lead us to guess at the period in which the scene is laid: the names of the actors are evidently fictitious, and probably disguised on purpose: yet the Spanish names of the domestics seem to indicate that this work was not composed until the establishment of the Arragonian Kings in Naples had made Spanish appellations familiar in that country. The beauty of the diction, and the zeal of the author (moderated, however, by singular judgment) concur to make me think that the date of the composition was little antecedent to that of the impression. Letters were then in their most flourishing state in Italy, and contributed to dispel the empire of superstition, at that time so forcibly attacked by the reformers. It is not unlikely that an artful priest might endeavour to turn their own arms on the innovators, and might avail himself of his abilities as an author to confirm the populace in their ancient errors and superstitions. If this was his view, he has certainly acted with signal address. Such a work as the following would enslave a hundred vulgar minds beyond half the books of controversy that have been written from the days of Luther to the present hour.

Horace Walpole (1717-1797), hijo del primer ministro británico Sir Robert Walpole, estudió en Eton y en el King’s College de Cambridge, centro que abandonó sin obtener un título. En 1747 Walpole adqu

Horace Walpole.El castillo de Otranto (The Castle of Otranto, en inglés) es una novela escrita por Horace Walpole en 1764. Es considerado el texto inaugural de la literatura de terror gótico, iniciando un genero literario que llego a ser extremadamente popular a finales del siglo XVIII y principios del XIX.

Die Burg von Otranto, in der englische Originalfassung: The Castle of Otranto, ist ein Roman des britischen Politikers und Schriftstellers Horace Walpole aus dem Jahr 1764. Walpole begrundete damit die Romangattung des Schauerromans, im Englischen Gothic Novel, und beeinflusst die Literatur damit bis in unsere Zeit.

On the day of his wedding, Conrad, heir to the house of Otranto, is killed in mysterious circumstances. His calculating father Manfred fears that his dynasty will now come to an end and determines to marry his sons bride himself - despite the fact he is already married. But a series of terrifying supernatural omens soon threaten this unlawful union, as the curse placed on Manfreds ancestor, who usurped the lawful Prince of Otranto, begins to unfold. First published pseudonymously in 1764, purporting to be an ancient Italian text from the time of the crusades, The Castle of Otranto is a founding work of Gothic fiction. With its compelling blend of sinister portents, tempestuous passions and ghostly visitations, it spawned an entire literary tradition and influenced such writers as Ann Radcliffe and Bram Stoker. The Castle of Otranto is generally regarded as the first gothic horror novel.

As the invaluable present I am making to the world may not please all tastes, from the gravity of the matter, the solidity of the reasoning, and the deep learning contained in the ensuing sheets, it is necessary to make some apology for producing this work in so trifling an age, when nothing will go down but temporary politics, personal satire, and idle romances. The true reason then for my surmounting all these objections was singly this: I was apprehensive lest the work should be lost to posterity; and though it may be condemned at present, I can have no doubt but it will be treated with due reverence some hundred ages hence, when wisdom and learning shall have gained their proper ascendant over mankind, and when men shall only read for instruction and improvement of their minds.

En 1764, el conocido político, escritor y arquitecto británico Horace Walpole escribió el que más tarde sería considerado como el texto inaugural de la literatura de terror gótico: El castillo de Otranto. La novela de Walpole cuenta la historia de Manfredo, un tirano de la Italia medieval cuya estirpe fue maldecida cuando su abuelo usurpó el poder del castillo a sus legítimos poseedores. Manfredo intenta conservar su herencia uniendo en matrimonio a su hijo Conrado con la princesa Isabella, pero poco antes de que se celebre el enlace ocurre un fatal accidente de origen sobrenatural que frustra sus designios.

Considerado el texto inaugural de la literatura de terror gótico, inició un género literario que llegó a ser extremadamente popular a finales del siglo XVIII y principios del XIX. La historia está ambientada en Italia durante la Alta Edad Media y se desarrolla en el castillo que da nombre a la historia, cuyo dueño se cree que fue asesinado en las cruzadas. Manfred usurpó su lugar, pero el Castillo tiene una maldición. Los sucesos no sirven como excusa para exponer un periodo histórico sino que es éste el que se subyuga a los acontecimientos creando la atmósfera más adecuada

Regarded as the first gothic horror novel ever written, The Castle of Otranto is a dark, thrilling tale, delightfully shocking for its time and hugely influential. A fantastic, provocative and playful tale of medieval dynastic and sexual politics, The Castle of Otranto is regarded as the first ever published gothic novel and has inspired authors from Edgar Allan Poe to J.K. Rowling. Abounding with unfulfilled prophecies, supernatural occurrences, adventure, suspense and destiny it follows the fortunes of the royal family of Sicily in the thirteenth century. Prince Conrad is crushed to death on the day of his wedding to the beautiful Princess Isabella. Heirless - and terrified of an ancient prophecy that foretells the downfall of his dynasty - his father, King Manfred, divorces his wife and resolves to marry the princess himself. Far from enamoured with her new fiance, Isabella flees the royal castle and makes for the sanctuary of a nearby church with the help of the humble Theodore. When the pair is captured their respective fates seem inescapable; but at the moment of Theodores death, delivery comes from the most unexpected of places.

In "My Memoirs of the Reign of King George the Third," Horace Walpole presents a rich tapestry of political and social insights woven through his keen observations of 18th-century England. The memoir is characterized by Walpoles distinctive literary style, blending personal reflection with historical commentary, thus offering a snapshot of the complexities of the Georgian era. He recounts the tumultuous events and significant personalities of King George IIIs reign, depicted through eloquent prose that invites readers to engage with the past in an intimate and vivid manner, illustrating the interplay between monarchy and the publics perception amidst rising tensions leading to the American Revolution. Walpole, known not only as a writer but also as a politician and art collector, drew upon his firsthand experiences and social relationships to inform his narrative. As a prominent figure in political circles and a member of the Whig party, his perspectives were shaped by the eras political intricacies and his personal encounters with influential statesmen and cultural figures. This unique vantage point enabled him to reflect critically on the events of the time while grappling with his own role in them. This work is highly recommended for historians, literary enthusiasts, and anyone intrigued by the turbulent times of King George III. Walpoles memoirs are not only informative but also evoke a sense of intimacy and personal investment in the events they describe, making them an essential read for those seeking a deeper understanding of this crucial period in British history.

This volume, with its erudite introduction by Mario Praz, presents three of the most celebrated Gothic novels: The Castle of Otranto, published pseudonymously in 1765, is one of the first of the genre and the most truly Gothic of the three. Vathek (1786), an oriental tale by an eccentric millionaire, exotically combines Gothic romanticism with the vivacity of The Arabian Nights and is a narrative tour de force. The story of Frankenstein (1818) and the monster he created is as spine-chilling today as it ever was; as in all Gothic novels, horror is the keynote.

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.

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of 18th-century England through the unbridled wit and keen observations of Horace Walpole, the renowned author and connoisseur. In this unabridged collection of his letters, Walpole paints a vivid tapestry of his time, offering an insiders perspective on the social, political, and cultural landscape. From his acerbic commentary on the aristocracy to his insightful reflections on art and literature, Walpoles letters provide an unparalleled glimpse into the minds and manners of a bygone era. Prepare to be entertained, enlightened, and transported as you delve into the extraordinary correspondence of one of historys most celebrated letter writers.

The Castle of Otranto is regarded as the first Gothic novel, a genre appealing to a taste for terror and set in a remote past when prodigies and magic can be imagined to have existed, with violent contrasts between purity and ungoverned passions. The author represents the tale as having been translated from a black letter Italian volume of the 15th century but describing much earlier events. This fictional antiquity and the depiction of mysterious wonders, dark subterranean passages, fearsome apparitions, marvelous coincidences, and especially a savage threat to spotless innocence are all typical of this genre, which does not assure a reader of a happy ending.