Horace Walpole's play, The Castle of Otranto: character of Manfred

Horace Walpole's play, The Castle of Otranto

(Character of Manfred)

Q. Manfred’s represents “complete social disintegration in which virtue gives way to vice, reason to desire, law to tyranny”. Elucidate the character of Manfred in view of the above comment.

Answer: Manfred, the protagonist of Horace Walpole's play "The Castle of Otranto," can be seen as a representation of the social disintegration described in the comment. Manfred is a complex character who embodies both virtue and vice, reason and desire, and law and tyranny.

At the beginning of the play, Manfred is portrayed as a noble and just ruler who is respected and admired by his subjects. However, when he is faced with the loss of his only son, Conrad, Manfred's grief and desire for power consume him, leading him to commit numerous immoral acts.

Manfred's desire for power and control over his fate is evident throughout the play. He attempts to usurp the rightful heir of the castle, Isabella, by forcing her into marriage, and later attempts to kill her when she refuses to comply. He also turns to dark magic and necromancy in an attempt to bring his dead son back to life, which leads to further chaos and destruction.

Manfred's actions can be seen as a representation of the breakdown of societal norms and values, as he disregards morality and law in pursuit of his own desires. His tyranny and disregard for the rights of others can also be seen as a reflection of the corrupt political systems that often arise in times of social disintegration.

Manfred's character can also be seen as a reflection of the theme of the supernatural and the Gothic genre of literature, which often portrayed the dark side of human nature and the breakdown of societal norms.

Manfred's obsession with power and control is also evident in his treatment of his wife, Hippolita, and his daughter, Matilda. He is willing to sacrifice their happiness and well-being for his own desires, further emphasizing his selfish and tyrannical nature.

Moreover, Manfred's use of dark magic and necromancy reflects his desire to challenge the natural order of life and death, and his willingness to resort to any means necessary to achieve his goals.

However, despite his immoral actions and descent into madness, Manfred is also a tragic figure. His grief over the loss of his son and his sense of isolation and alienation from his family and society evoke sympathy from the audience, and his eventual realization of the error of his ways and his redemption through death can be seen as a form of catharsis.

On the other hand, Manfred's character is a complex and multi-layered portrayal of the breakdown of societal norms and values, and the consequences of unchecked desire and ambition. Through his actions and motivations, the play "The Castle of Otranto" presents a cautionary tale about the dangers of succumbing to one's own desires and disregarding the moral and ethical principles that govern human behavior.

In conclusion, Manfred can be viewed as a representation of the complete social disintegration described in the comment. His character embodies the shift from virtue to vice, reason to desire, and law to tyranny, as he succumbs to his own desires and disregards the norms and values of his society.

*****

👉 Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones, the story of a man's journey from innocence to wisdom

👉 Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, story about human ability to create a civilization

👉 Andrea del Sarto as a Dramatic monologue

👉 The King of the Golden River – John Ruskin’s portrayal of Nature

👉 Preface to the Lyrical Balads as a manifesto of Romantic Criticism

👉 Moll Flanders as a Realistic Novel