# Theodore — The Castle of Otranto character guide

> Theodore in The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** young Theodore

**First appearance:** 0005-i

## Snapshot

A melancholy young stranger of obscure birth, whose resemblance to an ancient portrait unsettles Manfred and whose noble bearing hints at a hidden lineage.

## Who they are

Theodore enters the castle as a captive peasant, yet his grave courtesy and self-possessed dignity impress even those who should despise him. He tells a brief, sorrowful history — carried to Algiers as a child, orphaned, enslaved, freed — and quietly claims to be the son of Count Falconara, a revelation that shakes the friar Jerome. His striking likeness to Alfonso the Good disturbs Manfred with secret horror, and his willingness to lay down his sword before the prince marks him as a figure whose fate is bound up with the castle's buried claims.

## Relationships

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

_romantic_

Matilda and Theodore share a secret, tender romantic love that blossoms amidst danger and tragedy.

### [Isabella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/isabella)

_friendship_

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

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

_rivalry_

Manfred views Theodore as a dangerous rival and enemy, imprisoning and threatening him out of jealousy and suspicion.

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

_friendship_

Hippolita shows kindness and compassion to Theodore, recognizing his noble nature despite his lowly appearance.

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

_family_

Jerome is revealed to be Theodore's father, having raised him secretly after the death of Theodore's mother.

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

_romantic_

Matilda and Theodore share a secret, tender romantic love that blossoms amidst danger and tragedy.

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

_rivalry_

Manfred views Theodore as a dangerous rival and enemy, imprisoning and threatening him out of jealousy and suspicion.

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

_friendship_

Hippolita shows kindness and compassion to Theodore, recognizing his noble nature despite his lowly appearance.

### [Isabella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_castle_of_otranto_se/characters/isabella)

_friendship_

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

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

_friendship_

Hippolita shows kindness and compassion to Theodore, recognizing his noble nature despite his lowly appearance.

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

_romantic_

Matilda and Theodore share a secret, tender romantic love that blossoms amidst danger and tragedy.

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

_family_

Jerome is revealed to be Theodore's father, having raised him secretly after the death of Theodore's mother.

## In the story

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

A young peasant who aids Isabella and is later revealed to be the true heir of Alfonso.

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

Theodore is a young peasant who identifies the helmet as resembling that on Alfonso's statue, provoking Manfred's wrath.

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

Theodore is brought before Manfred and questioned about his role in Isabella's flight; he answers with honesty and courage.

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

Theodore is pardoned by Manfred but then taken as a hostage to the black tower; later he wounds Frederic in the forest and vows to protect Isabella.

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

Defends his love for Matilda to Jerome; follows Matilda after Frederic's arrival.

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

Revealed as the true heir of Alfonso, he mourns Matilda and demands to marry her even in death.

## Links

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