Keywords: The Castle of Otranto, Horace Walpole, Classic Fiction, Gothic
Set in the 13th century, the story concerns Manfred, who holds the princedom of Otranto only because his grandfather had poisoned the rightful prince, Alfonso. A prophecy has foretold that the usurpers would remain in power as long as they had male issue to continue their line and the castle remained large enough to hold the lawful ruler. Manfred's plan to marry his only son, Conrad, to Isabella, is frustrated by Conrad's mysterious death and his subsequent plan to marry Isabella is thwarted by her escape with Theodore. Finally, the ghost of Alfonso, grown too enormous to be contained in the castle, overthrows it and rises from the ruins.
