# Frederic — The Castle of Otranto character guide

> Frederic in The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Lord Frederic, the said Lord Frederic

**First appearance:** 0006-ii

## Snapshot

The Marquis of Vicenza and father of Isabella, whose arrival at Otranto with a brazen trumpet and a giant casque throws the castle into fresh turmoil.

## Who they are

Frederic is the nobleman whose daughter Isabella was sent to wed young Conrad, and his distant authority hangs over the opening events even before he appears. When he finally arrives, he comes as a claimant entangled with the same prophecy that haunts Manfred, his presence at the gate announced by portents that shake the tyrant's nerve. His paternal claim to Isabella and his own stake in Otranto's fate make him a pivotal counterforce in the story's middle arc.

## Relationships

### [Hippolita](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/hippolita)

_social_

Frederic, a marquis and former suitor of Hippolita, arrives at the castle with a claim and a history of past connection to her.

### [Manfred](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/manfred)

_rivalry_

Frederic and Manfred are bitter rivals, each seeking power and the hand of Isabella for their own ends.

### [Hippolita](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/hippolita)

_social_

Frederic, a marquis and former suitor of Hippolita, arrives at the castle with a claim and a history of past connection to her.

### [Manfred](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/manfred)

_rivalry_

Frederic and Manfred are bitter rivals, each seeking power and the hand of Isabella for their own ends.

### [Manfred](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/manfred)

_rivalry_

Frederic and Manfred are bitter rivals, each seeking power and the hand of Isabella for their own ends.

### [Hippolita](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/hippolita)

_social_

Frederic, a marquis and former suitor of Hippolita, arrives at the castle with a claim and a history of past connection to her.

## In the story

### [The Castle of Otranto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/chapters/the-castle-of-otranto)

The Knight of the Gigantic Sabre, who arrives with a mysterious story and challenges Manfred.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/chapters/iii)

Frederic, the Knight of the Gigantic Sabre, is wounded by Theodore and reveals himself as Isabella's father before being taken to the castle.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/chapters/iv)

Arrives wounded; recounts his dream and the discovery of the giant sabre with an inscription.

### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/chapters/v)

Present at the revelations, he accepts Theodore's claim after the supernatural confirmation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/frederic
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters