Adelgitha or The Fruits of a Single Error - Matthew Lewis

Adelgitha; or, The Fruits of a Single Error, the second tragedy by Gothic writer Matthew Lewis, explores the harrowing tale of a fallen woman ensnared by the merciless blackmail of a tyrant after rejecting his advances. Set against the backdrop of High Middle Ages Otranto, the play intertwines fictionalized accounts of historical figures Robert Guiscard and Michael Ducas, creating a rich tapestry of treachery, murder, madness, and despair. While its quality may not be refined, the emotional intensity and themes of power, vulnerability, and the consequences of a single error resonate powerfully today.