Zastrozzi

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Zastrozzi

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Set in Italy, this dark Gothic tale explores revenge, obsession, and psychological manipulation. Zastrozzi, driven by his mother's betrayal, orchestrates a campaign of vengeance against Verezzi and his new lover, Matilda. Filled with moral conflict, emotional intensity, and Romantic-era intrigue, the story delves into the depths of human passion and the destructive power of unforgiving hatred.

Summary up to 500 words

Percy Bysshe Shelley's *Zastrozzi* is a dark, Gothic narrative exploring the corrosive nature of revenge and the fragility of the human heart. The story opens with the villainous Zastrozzi abducting his enemy, Verezzi, from an inn and imprisoning him in a desolate cavern. Following a storm that damages the prison, Zastrozzi transfers Verezzi to a cottage inhabited by Matilda, a woman consumed by love for Verezzi's deceased wife, Julia. Matilda nurses Verezzi back to health, but her affection remains unrequited as she fixates on Julia, whom she blames for her own misery. As Verezzi's health fails, Matilda's despair intensifies, leading her to plot against Julia. She takes Verezzi to a remote Venetian castle, where her hatred for Julia grows into a murderous rage. In a fit of madness, Matilda murders Julia, framing the act as a tragedy. The narrative culminates in a public trial where Matilda is accused of the murder. Zastrozzi appears, revealing his true nature: he manipulated Matilda's grief and actions to destroy Verezzi's happiness. He exposes his own backstory, detailing how his mother, Olivia, was abandoned and betrayed by Verezzi's father, prompting his vow of eternal revenge. Zastrozzi confesses to killing Verezzi's father and driving his son to suicide. The novel ends with Zastrozzi's execution, where he dies defiant, celebrating his successful revenge while Matilda faces the consequences of her crimes. The work serves as a profound exploration of the corrupting nature of revenge, the fragility of the human heart, and the tragic consequences of unchecked passion.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/percy-bysshe-shelley_zastrozzi.epub

Local file path

data/epubs/url-207dbe807ed9bb90.epub

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2026-07-01 04:37 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Gothic
• Romantic