The Castle of Otranto (1764), written by Horace Walpole, is widely regarded as the first Gothic novel. Set in a mysterious medieval castle, the story follows Prince Manfred, who seeks to secure his dynasty after his son Conrad is crushed to death by a gigantic helmet on his wedding day. To preserve his power, Manfred attempts to marry Conrad's bride, Isabella, driving her to flee through the castle's subterranean passages. Filled with supernatural events—animated portraits, spectral figures, and prophetic visions—the novel explores themes of tyranny, guilt, and divine retribution. Its blend of romance, terror, and the supernatural established the foundations of Gothic fiction, influencing generations of writers.
