Gothic

Gothic is a term describing a variety of styles and arts. Although the roots of the word "goth" come from the Gothic people, the various gothic arts and styles have virtually nothing to do with that historical people.

• People: Historic people, considered barbaric by Middle Ages / Renaissance Europeans who described certain styles as "gothic" as a pejorative.
• Architecture - Gothic style in architecture was a type of medieval architecture, often associated with gargoyles, the pointed arch, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses (French style). Preeminent examples include Chartres Cathedral, Notre Dame de Paris, Salisbury Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, the rose window, etc.
• Art
• Literature: Gothic fiction began with Horace Walpole's The Castle of Otranto and was popularized by Ann Radcliffe. Sometimes called gothic romance. Often associated with themes such as women and madness, the supernatural, the spiritual, castles, etc.
• Contemporary style: Goths, music, dance, vampires, love of all things "gothic" whether otherwise related or not, love of fantastic, etc.