# The Castle of Otranto — Character guide

> Key figures in The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole.

- [Manfred](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/manfred.md): The tyrannical prince of Otranto, driven by a prophecy and desperate to secure his lineage.
- [Isabella](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/isabella.md): The daughter of Frederic, pursued by Manfred and later protected by Theodore.
- [Matilda](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/matilda.md): Manfred's gentle daughter, secretly in love with Theodore.
- [Theodore](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/theodore.md): A mysterious young peasant who becomes a knight and reveals his noble lineage.
- [Hippolita](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/hippolita.md): Manfred's virtuous wife, devoted to her family and faith.
- [Frederic](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/frederic.md): The Marquis of Vicenza, father of Isabella, who arrives seeking his daughter.
- [Bianca](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/bianca.md): Matilda's talkative and superstitious servant.
- [Jerome](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/jerome.md): A holy friar who counsels Manfred and harbors secrets about Theodore's past.
- [Conrad](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/conrad.md): Manfred's sickly son, whose sudden death sets the plot in motion.
- [Alfonso](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/alfonso.md): The former rightful prince of Otranto, whose ghostly presence haunts the castle.
- [Don Ricardo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/don_ricardo.md): Manfred's grandfather, whose usurpation of Otranto is revealed.
- [Jaquez](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/jaquez.md): A servant in Manfred's castle, often sent on errands.
- [Diego](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/diego.md): A servant who reports strange occurrences in the castle.
- [The Stranger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/the_stranger.md): A mysterious knight who appears in the castle and challenges Manfred.
- [Horace Walpole](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/horace_walpole.md): The author of the novel, appearing in the preface and introduction.
- [Holy Father](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/holy_father.md): A religious figure invoked in prayers and exclamations.
- [Madam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/madam.md): A formal address used for noblewomen, especially Hippolita.
- [St. Nicholas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/st_nicholas.md): A saint invoked by characters in moments of distress.
- [Heaven](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/heaven.md): A divine force frequently appealed to by characters.
- [Providence](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/providence.md): A personification of divine guidance in the narrative.
- [Thomas Gray](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/thomas_gray.md): A poet mentioned in the preface as a literary reference.
- [Martelli](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/martelli.md): A minor character referenced in the narrative.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters