# Isabella — The Castle of Otranto character guide

> Isabella in The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** the Lady Isabella, cruel Prince

**First appearance:** 0003-the-castle-of-otranto

## Snapshot

A cheerful, pure-souled noblewoman who arrives at Otranto as a bride and quickly becomes the object of Manfred's dangerous, unwanted pursuit.

## Who they are

Isabella is the daughter of Frederic and the intended bride of young Conrad, but she conceives little affection for her groom and shows more interest in the handsome cavaliers who pass through the castle. When Manfred's designs turn toward her after his son's death, her virtue and quick judgment are tested against a prince who treats her as a means to secure his line. Her flight and her loyalty to Matilda and Hippolita make her the moral counterweight to Manfred's tyranny in the story's opening arc.

## Relationships

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

_psychological_

Manfred relentlessly pursues Isabella to marry her after his son's death, making her a terrified victim of his obsessive and tyrannical desires.

### [Matilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/matilda)

_friendship_

Isabella and Matilda are close friends and confidantes, supporting each other through the terrors and intrigues of the castle.

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

_friendship_

Hippolita treats Isabella with maternal kindness and sympathy, often trying to shield her from Manfred's wrath.

### [Theodore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/theodore)

_friendship_

Isabella and Theodore become allies and friends, with Theodore rescuing her and later helping her escape Manfred.

### [Jerome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/jerome)

_friendship_

Jerome acts as Isabella's spiritual guide and protector, hiding her from Manfred and aiding her flight.

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

_psychological_

Manfred relentlessly pursues Isabella to marry her after his son's death, making her a terrified victim of his obsessive and tyrannical desires.

### [Matilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/matilda)

_friendship_

Isabella and Matilda are close friends and confidantes, supporting each other through the terrors and intrigues of the castle.

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

_friendship_

Hippolita treats Isabella with maternal kindness and sympathy, often trying to shield her from Manfred's wrath.

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

_psychological_

Manfred relentlessly pursues Isabella to marry her after his son's death, making her a terrified victim of his obsessive and tyrannical desires.

### [Jerome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/jerome)

_friendship_

Jerome acts as Isabella's spiritual guide and protector, hiding her from Manfred and aiding her flight.

### [Matilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/matilda)

_friendship_

Isabella and Matilda are close friends and confidantes, supporting each other through the terrors and intrigues of the castle.

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

_friendship_

Hippolita treats Isabella with maternal kindness and sympathy, often trying to shield her from Manfred's wrath.

## In the story

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

The intended bride of Conrad, she flees Manfred's advances and escapes through the underground vault.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/chapters/i)

Isabella is the intended bride of Conrad, who feels no affection for him and is horrified when Manfred proposes to her after Conrad's death.

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

Isabella is mentioned as having fled to sanctuary and is the subject of Manfred's pursuit and Jerome's protection.

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

Isabella flees the convent; she is found by Theodore and learns that the wounded knight is her father, Frederic.

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

Reveals Manfred's divorce plan to Hippolita and Matilda; swears never to consent to marry Manfred.

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

Tends to Matilda and Hippolita, and witnesses the supernatural events confirming Theodore's identity.

## Links

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