Matthew Lewis

The Monk Matthew Lewis

The Monk is a Gothic novel by Matthew Gregory Lewis, and published in 1796, before the author had turned twenty. It is a prime example of the male Gothic that specialises in the aspect of horror. Its convoluted and scandalous plot has made it one of the most important Gothic novels of its time, often imitated and adapted for the stage and the screen. The story starts in Madrid, when Leonella and her niece Antonia, is a timid and innocent girl of 15, visit a church to hear the sermon of a celebrated monk, Ambrosio, a monk about 30 years old. He was found left at the Abbey doorstep when he was too young to tell his tale. The monks consider him a present from the Virgin Mary and they educate him at the monastery. Ambrosio is approached by Antonia, who asks him to provide a confessor for Elvira, her dying mother, and the priest is immediately attracted to her. He prays for Elvira, who begins to improve. He agrees to come to visit them often and pray for Elvira, but his purpose is to be with Antonia and seduce her.