The Castle of Otranto

Chapters 1-2

Reading Check

1. Marquis of Vincenza (Chapter 1)

2. His grandfather’s (Chapter 1)

3. The Church of St. Nicholas (Chapter 1)

4. Matilda/Manfred’s daughter (Chapter 2)

5. Alfonso the Good (Chapter 2)

6. Theodore (Chapter 2)

Short Answer

1. On the day he is supposed to get married, Conrad dies mysteriously. He is found in the court, crushed to death by a giant helmet. (Chapter 1

2. Instead of rewarding the man for the information, Manfred accuses him of treason and murder. He has the peasant locked up inside the giant helmet. (Chapter 1)

3. Isabella thinks that the figure is Conrad’s ghost, but Manfred realizes that it is the peasant who has escaped from the giant helmet. (Chapter 1)

4. Bianca believes that Manfred will try to marry Matilda off so that she can have sons to continue the family line. Matilda disputes this, thinking her father will honor her wishes to enter a convent. (Chapter 2)

5. Manfred wants Father Jerome to return Isabella to the castle, but Father Jerome refuses. He thinks that Isabella would be in danger from Manfred should she return to the castle. (Chapter 2)

6. At Theodore’s scheduled execution, Father Jerome sees a birthmark on Theodore’s skin that he recognizes. (Chapter 2)

Chapters 3-4

Reading Check

1. Isabella’s father (Chapter 3)

2. Matilda (Chapter 3)

3. Theodore (Chapter 3)

4. From a dream (Chapter 4)

5. Father Jerome (Chapter 4)

6. If Hippolita approves (Chapter 4)

Short Answer

1. Frederick wants his daughter returned to him and wants control of Otranto. Manfred wants to marry Isabella and have children with her so that he can retain control of the castle. (Chapter 3)

2. He hopes to deescalate the conflict with Frederic and avoid a duel with Frederic’s knights. (Chapter 3)

3. Isabella disappears from the church, and Manfred sends his men out to search for her. (Chapter 3)

4. He and his mother were kidnapped by pirates. (Chapter 4)

5. She suggests that Frederic and Matilda marry to resolve the two families’ competing claims to the castle. (Chapter 4)

6. He tells his son that he should not act on his feelings for Matilda because she may have inherited Manfred’s evil nature. (Chapter 4)

Chapter 5

Reading Check

1. Bianca (Chapter 5)

2. The hermit from Joppa (Chapter 5)

3. She thinks Frederic is dead. (Chapter 5)

4. Manfred (Chapter 5)

5. Marry her (Chapter 5)

6. Theodore (Chapter 5)

Short Answer

1. He calls off his daughter’s wedding to Manfred and his own wedding to Matilda. (Chapter 5)

2. He wants to find out if she agreed to the divorce from Manfred. (Chapter 5)

3. The figure accuses Frederic of placing his own desire for Matilda above his duty to keep his daughter safe. (Chapter 5)

4. The earth trembles, the giant helmet clamors, the castle walls begin to crumble, and the ghost of Alfonso appears. (Chapter 5)

5. Manfred’s grandfather was Alfonso’s chamberlain, but he murdered Alfonso during the Crusades. (Chapter 5)

6. He reveals that Theodore’s mother was Alfonso’s daughter, so Theodore is Alfonso’s grandson and the rightful ruler of Otranto. (Chapter 5)