The Castle of Otranto · Character

Matilda

Manfred's gentle, devout daughter, kept in near-seclusion, whose quiet courage and secret longings make her the tender heart of the castle.

major

Also known as the terrified Matilda, the gentle Matilda, the lovely Matilda

First appearance: the castle of otranto

As a major figure in The Castle of Otranto, Matilda is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Matilda is Manfred's daughter, who assists her mother Hippolita and suppresses her own grief over her brother's death.

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Matilda lives under her father's watchful confinement, her days brightened only by her friend Isabella and the babbling of her maid Bianca. When a mysterious voice drifts up from the haunted chamber below, she refuses Bianca's panic and leans out to speak with the stranger, offering pity and protection with a composure beyond her years. That blend of piety, curiosity, and hidden feeling draws her toward the young man below and sets her on a path her father would never permit.

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The fuller portrait of Matilda sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Matilda in the castle of otranto

Character Web

18 connections

A slice of how Matilda sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Family
Romantic
Professional

Character groups

Main Characters and Ghosts
Protagonist

+13 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

Manfred’s psychological peak occurs as he confronts the impossibility of his situation, torn between resigning…

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Relationships

Isabella
friendship · positive
Isabella and Matilda are close friends and confidantes, supporting each other through the… How this plays out →
Hippolita
family · positive
Manfred
family · negative
Theodore
romantic · positive
Bianca
professional · positive
Holy Father
social · ambivalent
Isabella
friendship · positive
Isabella and Matilda are close friends and confidantes, supporting each other through the… How this plays out →
Holy Father
social · ambivalent
Bianca
professional · positive
Manfred
family · negative
Theodore
romantic · positive
Hippolita
family · positive

Isabella
Isabella and Matilda are close friends and confidantes, supporting each other through the terrors and intrigues of the castle.
Hippolita
Hippolita is Matilda's loving and gentle mother, sharing a bond of mutual care and piety.
Manfred
Manfred is Matilda's cold and neglectful father, valuing her only as a pawn in his dynastic ambitions.
Theodore
Matilda and Theodore share a secret, tender romantic love that blossoms amidst danger and tragedy.
Bianca
Bianca is Matilda's loyal and talkative servant, providing comic relief and devoted service.
Holy Father
The Holy Father is a religious authority figure who interacts with Matilda in a formal, spiritual capacity.
Isabella
Isabella and Matilda are close friends and confidantes, supporting each other through the terrors and intrigues of the castle.
Holy Father
The Holy Father is a religious authority figure who interacts with Matilda in a formal, spiritual capacity.
Bianca
Bianca is Matilda's loyal and talkative servant, providing comic relief and devoted service.
Manfred
Manfred is Matilda's cold and neglectful father, valuing her only as a pawn in his dynastic ambitions.
Theodore
Matilda and Theodore share a secret, tender romantic love that blossoms amidst danger and tragedy.
Hippolita
Hippolita is Matilda's loving and gentle mother, sharing a bond of mutual care and piety.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Matilda in the castle of otranto

In the story

Matilda appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
Matilda is Manfred's daughter, who assists her mother Hippolita and suppresses her own grief over her brother's death.
Chapter II
Matilda observes Theodore's interrogation from a gallery and is drawn to his composure and gallantry.
Chapter IV
Confesses her love for Theodore to Hippolita and vows obedience; blushes at seeing Theodore with Isabella.
Chapter V
Mortally wounded by Manfred's mistaken blow, she forgives her father and dies in her mother's arms.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Matilda unlock in the free preview.

See Matilda in the castle of otranto

See Matilda in I