By Brooke Mazzone, Jennifer Nagle, and Elena Carrasquillo Gothic Literature By Brooke Mazzone, Jennifer Nagle, and Elena Carrasquillo

What is Gothic Literature? By definition, "Gothic fiction (sometimes referred to as Gothic horror) is a genre of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance.” (https://www.google.com/#q=gothic+literature+definition&safe=active)

The word “Gothic” Synonymous to middle ages, a chaotic and rather disturbing era, where Gothic architecture reappeared (originating from non-classical Greek or Roman architecture.)

Authors Horace Walpole- wrote “Castle of Ontranto.” He was the start of English Gothic Literature. Matthew Lewis- wrote “The Monk.” Edgar Allen Poe- “The Mask of The Red Death” (http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/gothic/gothic.html)

Gothic Elements Castle; ruined, in tact, haunted or not haunted Buildings; melancholy, sinister Labyrinths, dark corridors, winding stairs Omens and ancestral curses Extreme landscapes The Supernatural Driven passion Curious heroine (http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/gothic/gothic.html)

Gothic quotes “This wall had gates of iron. The courtiers, having entered, brought furnaces and massy hammers and welted the bolts.” “The Masque of the Red Death” Edgar Allen Poe “He persuaded he could know no happiness but in the society of one with whom he could ever indulge the melancholy that had taken possession of his soul.” The Castle of Otranto Horace Walpole ‘The flames recoil of my approach; I oppose myself to the fury of Banolitti. Their swords became blunted and break against my breast; the hungry tiger shudders at my approach, and the alligator flies from a monster more horrible than itself. God has set his seal upon me, and all his creatures respect this fatal mark!” The Monk Matthew Lewis (www.goodreads.com/.../quotes/15568908-the-masque-of-the-red-death)‎

Relationship Association with the Romantic Era, 18th century emphasized a revolt against the aristocratic community. Gothic Era 19th century took off basic ideas, swaying from the “normal” and including events and ideas quite unused and criticized.