According to course readings, how do critics commonly interpret the significance of the severed hand in "The Castle of Otranto"?

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The hand symbolizes the dominance of Enlightenment ideals over medieval traditions.The hand is a metaphor for the perils associated with marriage.The hand represents the enigmatic force of the castle’s labyrinth.The hand embodies the assertion of primogeniture rights over the living heirs.The hand illustrates the triumph of reason over superstition.

Explanation

Critics frequently view the severed hand in "The Castle of Otranto" as a symbol of primogeniture's claim to authority over the living descendants, emphasizing the hereditary rights of the firstborn. Other interpretations, such as it representing Enlightenment ideals, marital dangers, or the labyrinth's mystery, are less supported by scholarly analysis.