Metzengerstein

Interesting Facts

• “Metzengerstein” is considered Edgar Allan Poe's first published story, which appeared in 1832. This story marked the beginning of his career as a master of gothic literature.
• The plot revolves around an ancient prophecy foretelling the downfall of one of the two feuding families—the Metzengersteins and the Berlifitzings. This prophecy becomes the central theme around which the entire story is built.
• The story features Poe's characteristic atmosphere of gloom and mystery, created through the depiction of ancient castles, ominous omens, and supernatural events.
• The main character, Baron Frederick Metzengerstein, is portrayed as a young man consumed by hatred and a thirst for revenge, leading to tragic consequences. His character and actions reflect themes of madness and moral decay, often found in Poe's works.
• One of the key elements of the story is the mysterious horse that appears after the fire at the Berlifitzing castle. The horse becomes a symbol of fate and inevitability, haunting Baron Metzengerstein.
• The story contains elements of mysticism and the supernatural, making it a vivid example of gothic literature, where reality and fantasy intertwine to create an atmosphere of horror and tension.