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The Monk · Chapter

Epigraph explained

The epigraph sets a Gothic tone by invoking dreams, magic terrors, spells, witches, and ghosts that roam at midnight, foreshadowing the supernatural and horrific elements of the novel.

What happens

The epigraph sets a Gothic tone by invoking dreams, magic terrors, spells, witches, and ghosts that roam at midnight, foreshadowing the supernatural and horrific elements of the novel.

Themes in this chapter

  • Superstition and the Supernatural

    The epigraph directly references magic, witches, and ghosts, establishing a supernatural atmosphere.

Key passages

  • Somnia, terrores magicos, miracula, sagas, Nocturnos lemures, portentaque.

    Dreams, magical terrors, wonders, witches, nocturnal ghosts, and portents.

    The Latin epigraph lists supernatural phenomena, setting the Gothic mood for the novel.

The Monk — Epigraph Explained