History Literature / TheMonk

First published in 1796, ''The Monk'' is considered a classic of GothicFiction and one of the most influential novels of the genre, though some also consider it to be something of an AffectionateParody as well. It was published almost thirty years after ''Literature/TheCastleOfOtranto'', which is considered to be the first Gothic novel. The author, Matthew Gregory Lewis, was a [[TeenGenius nineteen-year-old]] English diplomat who penned the novel in a mere ten weeks. The book became an instant success, scandalizing and entrancing the reading public. None of his other works were nearly so successful as this first effort. Indeed, the work was so strongly identified as [[OneHitWonder Lewis's greatest success]] that he was, and is, referred to as [[OnlyKnownByTheirNickname "Monk" Lewis]].

* FatalFlaw: Ambrosio commits the sin of pride long before he starts committing any of his truly deplorable acts. It is his pride that allows him to believe himself holy while he continues to sin.

* ShoutOut: 4 characters share their names with characters in ''TheCastleOfOtranto'' (Matilda, Theodore, Conrad, and Jerome).

* RapeIsLove: This is Antonio's justification for raping [[spoiler: Antonia]]. Of course, afterward he is disgusted with her because she is no longer pure and kills her.
* RealAfterAll: The Bleeding Nun

* DumbassHasAPoint: Despite the fact that Leonella is generally ridiculous, she immediately dislikes Ambrosio and points out that his sermon was severe, stern, and frankly terrifying, all of which hint his true nature before be becomes the viewpoint character.

* CharacterTitle: Ambrosio being the monk.

* IncorruptiblePurePureness: This is interestingly the quality about women that Ambrosio lusts after. When it turns out that purty can indeed be corrupted, he turns petulant and spiteful.

Madrid, Spain, in the time of the UsefulNotes/SpanishInquisition. Mere minutes after the cathedral doors open, the pews are packed with people who have come to hear the famous monk Ambrosio give his sermon. Ambrosio is young, [[SexyPriest handsome]], and considered incorruptible because he has never broken a rule of his order. But Ambrosio, for all his holiness, is a proud man. In the crowd waiting to hear Ambrosio are a [[TheIngenue young girl]], Antonia, and her MaidenAunt, Leonella, who meet a pair of young and gallant men, Don Lorenzo and Don Christoval. Antonia and Lorenzo fall in LoveAtFirstSight and Lorenzo vows to marry her.

After his sermon, Ambrosio meets a [[TheApprentice young student of his]] named Rosario, but it seems to him that Rosario is out of sorts today. Indeed, Rosario tells him a sad story of [[IHaveThisFriend his sister]] Matilda who loved a man who spurned her, and she died. When Ambrosio is sympathetic to Matilda's tragedy, Rosario reveals that [[SweetPollyOliver he is actually Matilda]] and [[StalkerWithACrush Ambrosio is her beloved]]. Ambrosio tells her to leave the monastery at once, but her determination to [[DrivenToSuicide kill herself]] if she has to leave makes him waver. Slowly but surely, Matilda convinces Ambrosio that she should be allowed to stay, even though she's a woman. That it would not be a problem for them to love each other. That it would not be a sin to [[SexIsEvilAndIAmHorny break their vows of chastity]].

But this is only the beginning of Ambrosio's descent into sin, and soon all of their paths will collide tragically. It got worse is an understatement.

* BigDamnHeroes: Lorenzo does his best to do this when he tries to save Antonia [[spoiler: but she's already dying and she says [[UnfortunateImplications it's all right since she's been defiled.]]]]

Madrid, Spain, in the time of the SpanishInquisition. Mere minutes after the cathedral doors open, the pews are packed with people who have come to hear the famous monk Ambrosio give his sermon. Ambrosio is young, [[SexyPriest handsome]], and considered incorruptible because he has never broken a rule of his order. But Ambrosio, for all his holiness, is a proud man. In the crowd waiting to hear Ambrosio are a [[TheIngenue young girl]], Antonia, and her MaidenAunt, Leonella, who meet a pair of young and gallant men, Don Lorenzo and Don Christoval. Antonia and Lorenzo fall in LoveAtFirstSight and Lorenzo vows to marry her.

* SpanishInquisition: The setting of the novel.

* AudioErotica: Ambrosio's first sermon in the book is clearly presented as an example as he's got half of Madrid swooning in his church.

* CompleteMonster: Invoked in the text as Ambrosio's last redeeming quality was [[spoiler: potential eventual salvation, and he gave that up, too.]]

* TeacherStudentRomance: Matilda initially seems to want this, claiming to have dressed as a man and entered the monastery to be close to Ambrosio, and even later when she starts seeking his love in return. She seems to get bored of him about as fast as he gets bored of her, though.

* PowderKegCrowd: And it gets set off when they believe Agnes died during her imprisonment. They tear the prioress to shreds and then go looking for Ambrosio.

* MoralEventHorizon: Invoked at several points in the text, but when Ambrosio makes his DealWithTheDevil, it's obvious that according to the rules of the story, he's gone too far.

* BigDamnHeroes: Lorenzo does his best to do this when he tries to save Antonia [[spoiler: but she's already dying and she says it's all right since she's been defiled.]]

* HairOfGold: Played straight with Antonia and initially with Matilda as well. This is emphasized by a portrait of the Virgin Mary that was painted using Matilda as the model.

* PoorCommunicationKills: Many of the problems in the story--rapes, murders, kidnappings, destitution--could have been avoided if Lorenzo and Raymond pulled their considerable influence together since Agnes was Lorenzo's sister and Antonia was Raymond's niece.