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Questions and Answers
What is the novel considered as the first work of gothic literature?
What is the novel considered as the first work of gothic literature?
The Castle of Otranto
Who is the author of the novel?
Who is the author of the novel?
Horace Walpole
How did Walpole characterize his novel?
How did Walpole characterize his novel?
Gothic
What was Walpole's intention in using the word 'gothic'?
What was Walpole's intention in using the word 'gothic'?
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What are some gothic tropes established in 'The Castle of Otranto'?
What are some gothic tropes established in 'The Castle of Otranto'?
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The first work of gothic fiction due to its establishment of gothic ______
The first work of gothic fiction due to its establishment of gothic ______
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The meaning of the word gothic in the context was deriving from the ______ ages
The meaning of the word gothic in the context was deriving from the ______ ages
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The castle of etranto is considered the first work of gothic ______
The castle of etranto is considered the first work of gothic ______
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The ______ part of the 18th century sawn explosion of gothic literature
The ______ part of the 18th century sawn explosion of gothic literature
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Walpole's intention was to pass his novel as an ______ italian text from 1529
Walpole's intention was to pass his novel as an ______ italian text from 1529
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Study Notes
The Castle of Otranto and the Rise of Gothic Literature
- The Castle of Otranto (1764) by Horace Walpole is considered the first work of Gothic literature.
- Walpole subtitled his novel "A Gothic Story" to pass it off as an antique Italian text from 1529, not to attribute sophistication to it.
- The word "Gothic" in this context refers to the Middle Ages, emphasizing the novel's medieval setting and themes.
- Despite the subtitle, The Castle of Otranto established key Gothic tropes, including:
- Supernatural elements
- Old castles
- Secret passages
- Paintings moving on their own
- Doors closing by themselves
- The latter part of the 18th century saw an explosion of Gothic literature, with Ann Radcliffe's works being extremely popular in the 1790s.
- The quote "But alas, my lord, what is blood? What is nobility? We are all reptiles, miserable, sinful creatures" is from The Castle of Otranto, highlighting the themes of mortality, morality, and the decay of nobility.
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Description
"Discover the Origins of Gothic Literature in 'The Castle of Otranto' Quiz" Test your knowledge on Horace Walpole's groundbreaking 1764 novel, considered the first work of Gothic literature. Learn about the author's intentions and the significance of his subtitling the novel as a "Gothic story." Uncover the themes of nobility, blood, and the sinful nature of humanity in this influential literary work.
