The Castle of Otranto

by Horace Walpole

The Castle of Otranto: Satire 1 key example

Definition of Satire

Satire is the use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone. Public figures, such as politicians, are often the subject of satire, but satirists can take... read full definition
Satire is the use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone. Public figures, such as politicians, are often the subject of... read full definition
Satire is the use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone. Public figures, such as politicians... read full definition
Chapter 3
Explanation and Analysis—A Damsel in Distress:

In Chapter 3, Walpole satirizes the medieval trope of the damsel in distress, showing the strength of character that Matilda possesses and pointing out the ludicrousness of this literary convention. When Matilda is attempting to help Theodore escape from his cell in the tower after being imprisoned there by Manfred, they have the following interaction:

—“Thy looks, thy actions, all thy beauteous self, seems an emanation of divinity,” said Theodore, “but thy words are dark and mysterious,—speak, lady; speak to thy servant’s comprehension.” —“Thou understandest but too well!” said Matilda: “but once more I command thee to be gone: thy blood, which I may preserve, will be on my head, if I waste the time in vain discourse.”