Homoerotic and Homophobic Possibilities in The Castle of Otranto Essay

Homoerotic and Homophobic Possibilities in The Castle of OtrantoEve Sedgwick describes the gothic novel as a dialectic between the homosexual and homophobic (92). Homosexuality was first recognized in the eighteenth century and resulted in far reaching social responses. With the establishment of the terminal gayness, social tensions appeared. These tensions found their way into novels as fears of sexuality and the struggle for sexual expression. Sedgwick terms this emerging homoeroticism as the gothic unspeakable, which is reflected by dint of the depiction of male class and male sexuality (95). Although homosexuality is not explicitly discussed in the text of Otranto, some critics find the relationships and behaviours between the male characters to spare Sedgwicks queer reading of the gothic novel.Research on Walpole has yet to turn up any concrete evidence that proves he had a option for men. However, analysts of Walpoles letters have found that he had developed strong intimat e relationships with men that can only be described as romantic, and thence homoerotic in nature (Fincher 231). Historically, Walpole has also been accused of being effeminate. In a nerve pathway written by William Guthrie, an attack is made on Walpoles ambiguous gender, of which Guthrie describes Walpole as delicate of the third sex and possessing a most ladylike manner (Fincher 233). There is always the possibility that Guthries pamphlet was only written out of anger. Never the less, it functions as a piece of evidence that suggests Walpoles sexuality, as well as provides an indication of the attitude towards homosexuality at the time.If indeed Walpole had homoerotic tendencies, then his sexuality would give rise to rec... ... wins at the end of the novel, as Manfreds title and property is stripped from him. Whether this indicates Walpole plan of attack to peace with his own sexuality is debatable, and one can only speculate. Never the less, Sedgwicks queer reading of the goth ic novel provides another unique stance towards Otranto.Works CitedFincher, Max. Guessing the Mould Homosocial Sins in Horace Walpoles The Castle of Otranto. Gothic Studies 3 (2001) 229-45.Haggerty, George E. Literature and Homosexuality in the Late Eighteenth Century Walpole, Beckford, and Lewis. Studies in the Novel 18 (1986) 341-352.Napier, Elizabeth R. The Failure of Gothic. Oxford Oxford UP, 1987.Sedgwick, Eve Kosofsky. Between Men English Literature and Male Homosocial Desire. New York Columbia UP, 1985.Walpole, Horace. The Castle of Otranto. New York Oxford UP, 1996.