The literary genre of gothic horror combines both romance and horror. Usually, they involve a naive young woman who falls under the spell of a dark, handsome stranger with a murky past. Often confused with paranormal romance, it is a distinctly atmospheric form of literature in which the setting almost becomes a character in its own right.
These tales almost always take place in a rambling mansion or ancient Castle. It may or may not be inhabited by ghosts, zombies or other supernatural creatures. The structure may be in ruins or it may be standing and functional.
The outdoor setting is always scary. There may be treacherous, rocky cliffs near the main residence. In addition, there may be a dense, eerie forest of gnarled trees. The weather is always foul with driving rains, gale force winds, lightning and thunder. It never shows.
The gullible ingenue will faint periodically throughout the story. She will require rescuing by the handsome hero, whose real identity will not be known until the very end. An egomaniacal villain will be on hand to perform evil deeds. He is a constant threat.
There is doomed romance, often in the form of forbidden sex, including possibly incest and/or rape. Satanism, murder, possibly even cannibalism will contribute to the overall debauchery. Omens, ancient curses and other magic may also be present. The mood is dark and gloomy and we can't get enough of it.
Mary Shelley's 'Frankestein', Braham Stoker's Dracula and Daphne DuMaurier's 'Rebecca' are all examples of classic gothic horror. The first 'modern' example (post medieval times) was Horace Walpole's, 'The Castle of Otranto', published in 1764. The Bronte sisters' offerings including 'Jane Eyre' and 'Wuthering Height' are also considered to be from this genre, as are most stories by Edgar Allen Poe. The popular 1960s American daytime soap, 'Dark Shadows' has achieved cult status in the New Millennium. Johnny Depp is due to star in a film reprise of the role of vampire Barnabus Collins. Gothic Horror
These tales almost always take place in a rambling mansion or ancient Castle. It may or may not be inhabited by ghosts, zombies or other supernatural creatures. The structure may be in ruins or it may be standing and functional.
The outdoor setting is always scary. There may be treacherous, rocky cliffs near the main residence. In addition, there may be a dense, eerie forest of gnarled trees. The weather is always foul with driving rains, gale force winds, lightning and thunder. It never shows.
The gullible ingenue will faint periodically throughout the story. She will require rescuing by the handsome hero, whose real identity will not be known until the very end. An egomaniacal villain will be on hand to perform evil deeds. He is a constant threat.
There is doomed romance, often in the form of forbidden sex, including possibly incest and/or rape. Satanism, murder, possibly even cannibalism will contribute to the overall debauchery. Omens, ancient curses and other magic may also be present. The mood is dark and gloomy and we can't get enough of it.
Mary Shelley's 'Frankestein', Braham Stoker's Dracula and Daphne DuMaurier's 'Rebecca' are all examples of classic gothic horror. The first 'modern' example (post medieval times) was Horace Walpole's, 'The Castle of Otranto', published in 1764. The Bronte sisters' offerings including 'Jane Eyre' and 'Wuthering Height' are also considered to be from this genre, as are most stories by Edgar Allen Poe. The popular 1960s American daytime soap, 'Dark Shadows' has achieved cult status in the New Millennium. Johnny Depp is due to star in a film reprise of the role of vampire Barnabus Collins. Gothic Horror
Brak komentarzy:
Prześlij komentarz