Self-Satisfying Soup of Wisdom with iServalan at Elderescence Radio

Love Stories Podcast

“The Monk: A Romance” by Matthew Gregory Lewis, a Gothic Novel audiobook version and essay

 

 Let’s delve into the dark and captivating world of “The Monk: A Romance” by Matthew Gregory Lewis. This Gothic novel, published in 1796, weaves a tale of corruption, forbidden desires, and supernatural forces. Buckle up as we explore its twisted plot, memorable characters, and enduring impact.

Overview and Context

• Title: The Monk: A Romance
• Author: Matthew Gregory Lewis
• Genre: Gothic novel
• Publication Date: 1796

Plot Summary

“The Monk” has two intertwined plotlines that keep readers on the edge of their seats:

1. Ambrosio’s Downfall:

   • Ambrosio, a celebrated monk in Madrid, is the central character. Abandoned at an abbey as an infant, he grows up to be virtuous and revered.
   • His closest friend, Rosario, reveals her true identity as Matilda, a woman who disguised herself to be near Ambrosio.
   • Matilda nurses Ambrosio back to health after a serpent bite, and their relationship takes a dark turn. She tempts him into forbidden desires, leading to a secret affair.
   • When Ambrosio becomes infatuated with the virtuous maiden Antonia, Matilda offers him a sinister solution: witchcraft.
   • The consequences of Ambrosio’s choices spiral into murder, lust, and damnation.

2. Raymond and Agnes:

   • The subplot follows the romance between Raymond and the nun Agnes.
   • Their love story unfolds against the backdrop of Ambrosio’s downfall, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

Themes and Elements

• Gothic Horror: “The Monk” epitomizes the Gothic genre, emphasizing horror, suspense, and the supernatural.
• Forbidden Desires: Ambrosio’s inner struggle with desire, lust, and temptation drives the plot.
• Intriguing Characters:
  • Ambrosio: Initially virtuous, he succumbs to darkness.
  • Matilda: The enigmatic temptress who leads Ambrosio astray.
  • Antonia: The innocent maiden caught in the web of intrigue.
• Witchcraft and the Occult: Matilda’s involvement with Lucifer and her use of magic add an eerie dimension.
• Moral Decay: The novel explores the corruption of virtue and the consequences of sinful choices.

Legacy and Adaptations

• Influence: “The Monk” left an indelible mark on Gothic literature. Its scandalous plot and vivid characters inspired countless imitations.
• Stage and Screen: The novel has been adapted for theater and film, capturing its dark allure.

Conclusion

“The Monk: A Romance” remains a haunting and influential work. Lewis’s ability to blend horror, passion, and the supernatural ensures its place in literary history. So, dear reader, immerse yourself in this twisted tale—it’s a journey you won’t soon forget.

References:

1. Wikipedia: The Monk
2. Goodreads: The Monk
3. LibriVox: The Monk
4. Amazon: The Monk: A Romance
5. Project Gutenberg: The Monk

Donald Trump by The Quillmatic Bardinator, A Poem for the Modern Age by the wannabe Shakespeare

A Sonnet for Donald Trump by the Quillmatic Bardinator 

 

 Upon the grand stage power's tempests brew,

A man of gold and bluster takes his stand,

His words, a whirlwind, sweep across the land,

Donald Trump with voice anew.

His towered pride, a monument to self,

A gilded throne, where ego reigns supreme,

He tweets, he boasts, he spins a fevered dream,

While truth and reason falter, lose their wealth.

In echoes of the past, we find his kin,

Julius Caesar, craving godlike sway,

And Richard III, whose twisted path unfolds.

Macbeth, with hunger for dominion's sin,

And Lear, whose kingdom crumbles day by day,

This, a tragic tale of power writ in gold.

©2024 Quillmatic Bardinator / Tale Teller Club

Let's Go Swimming Poem and Live Reading by Sarnia de la Maré FRSA

 Let's go Swimming

Let’s go swimming

Where the ocean never ends

Where the lost and lonely people

Catch up with their friends

Where water babies go

The seas

to ever roam

In search of mothers' love

Thrown in from up above

Let’s go swimming

Where no one ever grows

Where time stands still

For those

who chose

To walk the sandy beds

With the bubbles

of the dead

To guide them

without dread

Let’s go swimming

Under the seven seas

Naked in

our dreams

Where warrior women

freed

Search for babes

in weeds

Let’s go swimming

With angels wearing wings

Whose death songs sing

In echos from the shells

With lovers

saved from Hell

Let’s go swimming

And stop this endless time

Capture love sublime

To save it from the tide

Ⓒ 2022 Sarnia de la Mare