Nightmare Abbey · Chapter
Endnotes explained
The endnotes provide scholarly annotations, references, and clarifications for various allusions in the text, including mythological, literary, and philosophical sources such as Persian mythology, Byron's Manfred, Johnson's Dictionary, and
What happens
The endnotes provide scholarly annotations, references, and clarifications for various allusions in the text, including mythological, literary, and philosophical sources such as Persian mythology, Byron's Manfred, Johnson's Dictionary, and Denys Montfort's natural history. They also contain satirical commentary on political figures like Burke and the laureate, as well as references to Goethe's Sorrows of Werther.
Themes in this chapter
Satire of Literary and Philosophical Fashions
The endnotes mock the pretentiousness of literary and philosophical allusions, such as the heterogeneous mythological company in Manfred, and satirize political figures like Burke and the laureate.
The Futility of Human Endeavor
The note on Ahrimanes and the divided dominion of good and evil suggests a fatalistic worldview, echoed in Mr. Toobad's belief in the reign of evil, underscoring the futility of human striving.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Toobad
Referenced in the note on Ahrimanes, where his view of the present period as the reign of Ahrimanes is mentioned.
- Mr. Asterias
His speech is noted as a paraphrase from Montfort's natural history.
Key passages
“Ahrimanes, in the Persian mythology, is the evil power, the prince of the kingdom of darkness. He is the rival of Oromazes, the prince of the kingdom of light. These two powers have divided and equal dominion.”
In Persian myth, Ahrimanes is the dark lord, opposed by Oromazes, the light lord; they share equal rule.
Explains the mythological reference used by Mr. Toobad and Byron.
“It is difficult to conceive where this heterogeneous mythological company could have originally met, except at a table d’hôte, like the six kings in Candide.”
This odd mix of mythological figures could only have gathered at a common dining table, like the six kings in Candide.
Satirical comment on the eclectic mythology in Byron's Manfred.
“Pension . Pay given to a slave of state for treason to his country.”
A pension is payment to a state slave for betraying his country.
Definition from Johnson's Dictionary, used to critique political corruption.