The Castle of Otranto

"The Castle of Otranto" by Horace Walpole is a Gothic horror story set in a castle filled with eerie events and secrets, focusing on Prince Manfred, who is haunted by an old prediction about losing his power. The story starts with the shocking death of Manfred's son, crushed by a huge helmet on his wedding day. This event throws Manfred's plans into chaos, especially his desire to keep his family's ruling line going. Key people in the story are Manfred’s daughter, Matilda, and Isabella, who was supposed to marry his son and now finds herself caught in Manfred’s twisted plans. Manfred turns from being a ruler into a fearful person, driven by the need to escape the prophecy, leading to suspense, scary scenes, and a deep look into the dark human desires that drive the story forward.