I use to feel the tragedy so deeply and now that I have started using more of my Ti along with Ni and Fe I am starting to see comedy in my life. Last one is still on auto pilot. I am coming for you Se.
Is it possible to consider Horace Walpoleβs βThe Castle Of Otrantoβ (1764) as the beginning of horror literature?
It's not Straub, it's not King; but it's the grandfather of all. The Castle of Otranto brings about the magic of the medieval setting, and blends it together with the tragic (and humorous) misfortunes of countless of characters - all affected by the strange workings of a preternatural force.
I'm so shaped by modern horror that I was originally quite disappointed, thinking how could this have been such a huge influence?, until I finally let go of my prejudices and just took the story in - and holy cow did it sweep me along! As soon as I stopped expecting ghosts to pop up on every page ('cause that's what I thought gothic meant..) I got so dragged in by the characters that I was wholly invested in their tragedies and misfortunes, love-affairs and quarrels.
This story sold me a great deal of sympathy, and an even greater deal of laughter. Walpole is really good at character. And when you least expect it - because you're so caught up in the dialogues - the horror does show up, and yes you do get the chills. I was not in the least disappointed by this book, short and influential as it is, and hereby recommend it to you all. Read it!
Image: [Released three weeks before the end of World War I]
http://thisnortheasternlife.blogspot.com/2016/08/quote-of-day-for-2016-08-20.html
The granddaddy of Gothic Literature deserves some love too!
"The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in a thousand things well." β Horace Walpole
