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Summary Of Castle Of Otranto And Romance Of The Forest

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Gothic literature would not be complete without the rich architecture it carries in its tales, although the author does not usually state that the story is placed in a gothic setting. One can easily classify the story by the details the author leaves for the reader to interpret. Castle Of Otranto and Romance of the Forest, are all works that are categorized under gothic literature. Castle of Otranto takes place in a mysterious dark castle where a horrendous tragedy has occurred. While Romance of the Forest is placed in an ancient house that is filled with mysterious chambers. Both of the stories share a common trait of mystery and supernatural activity, which are characteristics that contribute to the “Haunted House” theme gothic literature has created.
Many of the characteristics of gothic architecture all serve to fuel the dark image they portray. Gothic buildings were tall and grand, almost as it was attempting to intimidate the outside world. The buildings often were so large one can conclude it was difficult for light to reach every crevice. Darkness loomed over the corridors and brought a sense of horror, as darkness is often correlated with fear of the unknown. Electricity was not an existing utility during the dark ages. Therefore common people used candles or torches, in order to illuminate their surroundings. In Castle of Otranto, the author uses darkness for his imagery to write statements such as, “Through that long labyrinth of darkness. Every murmur struck her

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