Page 95 - DENG402_HISTORY_OF_ENGLISH_LITERATURE

History of English Literature

Notes Vathek – Ninth Caliph of the Abassides, who ascended to the throne at an early age. His figure was
pleasing and majestic, but when angry, his eyes became so terrible that “the wretch on whom it
was fixed instantly fell backwards and sometimes expired”. He was addicted to women and
pleasures of the flesh, so he ordered five palaces to be built: the five palaces of the senses. Although
he was an eccentric man, learned in the ways of science, physics, and astrology, he loved his
people. His main greed, however, was thirst for knowledge. He wanted to know everything. This
is what led him on the road to damnation.”
The Stupid Servant – acts as comic relief by asking seemingly stupid questions, transitions between
scenes, brings news, messenger, and moves plot forward.
Peter in The Romance of the Forest – whenever he brings information to people, he never gets to
the point but prattles on and on about insignificant things. “The reader…eagerly follows the flight
of LaMotte, also of Peter, his coachman, an attached, comic, and familiar domestic.”
Bianca in The Castle of Otranto – a gossip, helps characters get valuable news, provides comic
relief.
Clowns – break the tension and act as comic relief.
Diego and Jaquez in The Castle of Otranto – they appear to talk about random things, and argue
foolishly with each other in order to lighten the air of the novel.

Banditti Ruffians

They appear in several Gothic Novels including The Romance of the Forest in which they kidnap
Adeline from her father.
Clergy – always weak, usually evil.
Father Jerome in The Castle of Otranto – Jerome, though not evil, is certainly weak as he gives up his
son when he is born and leaves his lover.
Ambrosio in The Monk – Evil and weak, this character stoops to the lowest levels of corruption
including rape and incest.
Mother Superior in The Romance of the Forest – Adeline fled from this convent because the sisters
weren’t allowed to see sunlight and highly oppressive environment.

The Setting

The setting of the Gothic Novel is a character in itself. The plot is usually set in a castle, an abbey, a
monastery, or some other, usually religious edifice, and it is acknowledged that this building has
secrets of its own. It is this gloomy and frightening scenery, which sets the scene for what the
audience should expect. The importance of setting is noted in a London review of the Castle of
Otranto, “He describes the country towards Otranto as desolate and bare, extensive downs covered
with thyme, with occasionally the dwarf holly, the Rosa marina, and lavender, stretch around like
wild moorlands…Mr. Williams describes the celebrated Castle of Otranto as “an imposing object
of considerable size…has a dignified and chivalric air. A fitter scene for his romance he probably
could not have chosen.” Similarly, De Vore states, “The setting is greatly influential in Gothic
novels. It not only evokes the atmosphere of horror and dread, but also portrays the deterioration
of its world. The decaying, ruined scenery implies that at one time there was a thriving world. At
one time the abbey, castle, or landscape was something treasured and appreciated. Now, all that
lasts is the decaying shell of a once thriving dwelling.” Thus, without the decrepit backdrop to
initiate the events, the Gothic Novel would not exist.

12.4 Criticism of Gothic Novel

The Gothic novel has received much literary criticism throughout the years. Critics of the genre
have engaged in analysis of the various elements of the Gothic novel and tie those elements with

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