Before my trip to Prague I read a book set in the city to help me better understand it's mystique. The book was entitled The Lights of Prague, set in the 1850s pertaining to a war against vampires and their hunters. I started reading this book shortly after finishing The Witcher video game, which was also fittingly so about monster hunting. The book had an original semi-dark style to it, as it glorified the city of Prague while telling a suspenseful story. This story pertaining to vampires was already an impression I already had about Prague and really set the stage for my visit. However the book also got me into a vampire phase, a more gothic area that I usually stay away from.
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I'm going to break this study into three parts. First is the historical evolution of the vampire, pertaining to it's history in society. I'd like to understand where this fear of vampires came from and what inspired so much fictional content. I'd then like to break down the common traits and attributes of a vampire (such as their blood-sucking ways). Finally I'd like to highlight the many forms of media pertaining to vampires such as novels, art, movies, and television shows. It's no doubt quite a sub-culture, that has it's undeniable lure to the more macabre, horror, and gothic crowd.
History of Vampire Folklore
The term "vampire" was born out of eastern Europe in the 1730s, and it's no question that most of it's source material takes place in that central-eastern European Slavic region (such as Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Romania). However this embodiment of the blood-sucking monster referred to as the vampire goes back into ancient times. Many ancient civilizations and religions believed in bloodsucking demons and devils. The Indian Hindus introduced dark spirits to their mythological beliefs such as the "vetalas" or the "pisacas" who would feed on the flesh of live creatures.
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During the medieval period, there was some minimal accounts of folkloric vampire creatures written by British and Old Norse poets, often pertaining to undead zombies such as revenants. By the mid 1300s however this fear became a reality when there were various accounts in the Czech region of buried corpses seen committing murders. There was also an account in Croatia in 1672 about a young man named Jure Grando who came back to life to commit murder. Certain historic figures such as Vlad the Impaler of Wallachia and Elizabeth Bathory of Hungary were later accused of having vampire tendencies with no hard evidence. It's no question that the vampire hysteria we know of as today was first rooted in eastern Europe during the 1600 and 1700s. From here came the legends and folklore pertaining to the villainous vampires and their common attributes, which later spread to western Europe.
During the European Witchcraft frenzy of the 1600-1700s, there were also many real cases of vampire sightings and trials. This hysteria unfolded particularly in the 1720s in East Prussia there were many accounts of vampire attacks. There were also real accounts in Serbia of people returning from the dead to murder others by sucking out their blood. These two Serbian cases specifically led to an uproar of vampire fear, hysteria, and controversy throughout Eastern Europe. These legends later spread throughout Asia, Africa, and the Americas who incorporated their own variations on the vampire. In 1897 Irish author Bram Stoker wrote the iconic novel of Dracula, which made the vampire a common monster in folklore.
Vampire Attributes
The physical features and traits of the vampire have changed much throughout history, but really began to take shape into a structure by the 19-20th century. The vampire we know of as today, best demonstrated by the iconic Count Dracula consists of the following common attributes:
- Undead Creatures: Vampires are former human beings, who have died and yet their corpse lives on. In this regard they are immortal, unless they are beheaded or staked in the heart. It is commonly understood that to become a vampire one must be bitten by another vampire.
- Blood-sucking savages: Vampires have predator sharp fangs to feed on the blood of others. They constantly have a thirst for blood which will often turn their civil behavior into animal behavior.
- Supernatural Strength: Aside from their predator fangs, vampires are often depicted with supernatural strength, speed, and other paranormal powers. For this reason it is very difficult to kill a vampire.
- Immortality: Since they are already technically dead, vampires are immortal creatures. They do not age, yet rather are depicted with youthful beauty and classy style.
- Hallucination: Vampires often have the power to hallucinate or manipulate other people's minds.
- Transformation: On various accounts vampires have the ability to shape-shift or transform into smoke or a bat.
- Sexuality: Vampires are often depicted with a heightened libido, or a more hungry sexual appetite.
- Enemy of Werewolves: In many stories, shows, and movies they are often depicted as having extreme prejudice, hate, and violent conflicts with the werewolf race
- Fear of the Light: It's commonly understood that vampires must dwell in the darkness and cannot survive in the daylight. They will often sleep in coffins during the daytime. For this reason they have very pale skin.
- Methods of Vampire Protection: Vampires have various weakness which humans will often use to protect themselves. This can range from magical symbols, to mirrors, garlic, wild rose, hawthorn, or mustard seed. It is also commonly accepted that the vampires have a weakness towards religious symbols such as a crucifix, rosary, holy water, or bible.
- Methods of Vampire Hunting: Most vampires are immortal and do not age. However they do have weaknesses. The most common way to murder a vampire is to stake it through the heart. Beheading the vampire is also an affective way to bring it's life to an end.
- Lenore (1773): This poem is often regarded as one of the first popular works of literature pertaining to vampires. Written by German author Gottfried August Burger, it is considered a Gothic ballad. The premise is a grieving woman who confronts a mysterious person who at first appears to be her husband but is later revealed as death. This macabre story demonstrates the darker side of undead vampires.
- Varney the Vampire (1845): One of the first popular novels pertaining to the vampire character this horror book was written by British authors James Malcolm Rymer and Thomas Peckett Prest. This book was a major influence on Bram Stoker and established some of the classical attributes of a vampire such as their sharp fangs.
- Carmilla (1872): This Gothic novel written by Irish author Sheridan Le Fanu was another major inspiration to Bram Stoker. The novel deals with a female protagonist who is a countess that happens to be a vampire. It deals with lesbian romance as the countess/vampire has controversial desires for other women. This book was way ahead of it's time and also captures the sexual drive and lustfulness often portrayed among vampires.
- Dracula (1897): It is the popular Horror gothic novel written by Irish author Bram Stoker that created to this day one of the most famous vampire characters. The character of Count Dracula is described to live in the Transylvania region in a castle in the mountains (which is modern day Romania). He is later hunted by the doctor and scientist Van Helsing who also established the common attributes for vampire hunting. The character of Count Dracula was a reference to the Wallachian prince Vlad the Impaler who ruled from 1448-1476. While he is considered a hero of Romania, he is coined with the term impaler in reference to Saxon enemies that he had impaled. It's no doubt that this cruel nature of Vlad the Impaler as well as other Transylvanian folklore inspired Bram Stoker's iconic novel.
- Interview with a Vampire (1976): Written by American author Anne Rice, this book portrays the vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac who tells his story to a reporter. The vampire is based out of New Orleans, LA and travels the world in search of other vampires. The book inspired the popular 1994 film adaptation starring Brad Pitt in the lead role.
- Twilight (2008-2020): American author Stephanie Meyer revamped the vampire culture with this very popular romance series. Just as with Harry Potter, the book was targeted to the teenage crowd and noted for it's darker elements. The author originally published four books from 2005-2008 (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn) and recently released two more in 2015 and 2020 (Life and Death and Midnight Sun). The book was adapted into a popular movie series starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.
- Lights of Prague (2021): Probably not so much of a popular book but I actually enjoyed this and it's the root of my inspiration with vampires. Written by American author Nicole Jarvis it is an action romance between a vampire hunter and a vampire. I especially enjoyed the setting of 1850s Prague, where the vampire hunter was a lamplighter. The story dives deep into vampire culture and uses the term "pijavica" to describe their monstrous nature.
- Dark Shadows (1966-1971): This was a popular Gothic soap opera about a wealthy family in Maine who happened to be vampires. The show depicted all manners of horror creatures from werewolves, ghosts, zombies, and witches. A movie adaptation was later released about the family starring Johnny Depp.
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003): I remember this show as a kid starring the attractive blonde, Sarah Michelle Gellar as the vampire hunter. I maybe caught a few scenes here and there and would consider it more of a teenage soap opera than a proper gothic horror drama.
- The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017): Although I have not seen this show, I have heard of it and understand it to be a popular teenage drama about vampires. The show ran for 8 seasons and produced 171 episodes which is certainly saying something about it's popularity.
- Castlevania (2017-2021) Based on the popular video game, it pertains to the family of Dracula as they seek vengeance for the murder of Count Dracula's wife.
- True Blood (2008-2014) A comedy/drama produced by HBO, based off the popular book series by Charlaine Harris. It stars the attractive Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse. The show is set in modern day Louisiana and pertains to vampires and many other wicked monsters. I'm actually currently watching this show and can say after nearly 3 seasons I really do enjoy it. It is yet another well written show by HBO and has a unique blend of dark comedy and drama.
- Dracula (1931): There are many many film adaptations of Bram Stoker's famous novel but it appears this is considered the most classic. The title character was famously portrayed by Hungarian actor Bela Lugosi.
- Interview with the Vampire (1994): Based off the popular book by Anne Rice it tells a modern day biography of a vampire living among society. It stars top A-listers such as Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas, Christian Slater, and Kirsten Dunst.
- Van Helsing (2004): Based on the heroic scientist Dr. Van Helsing, it stars Hugh Jackman in the title role. It is an action film, where Van Helsing is hunting monsters all across Transylvania, along with his attractive sidekick played by the Gothic queen herself, Kate Beckinsale. The film had a clever setting, but received negative reviews, and I for one did not care much for it.
- The Blade Trilogy (1998-2004): It is a Marvel superhero trilogy, with Wesley Snipes portraying the the title character. Blade is considered a dhampir (a creature that has vampire superpowers, but is not immortal). I never watched a single one of these movies, but understand they were quite popular during my teenage years.
- I am Legend (2007): Based off the 1954 novel by Richard Matheson it is a post-apocalyptic action movie starring Will Smith. Due to a deadly virus the majority of society has transformed into blood sucking vampire demons. Will Smith must isolate, defend, and survive against these horrific monsters.
- Hotel Transylvania (2012-2020): An animated comedy about Count Dracula welcoming other monsters in Transylvania to his castle. The film series starred Adam Sandler in the title role and produced 5 films as well as a TV series. I may have caught the first film but don't remember anything noteworthy from it. I enjoyed Steve's Carrell's portrayal of Gru much more in Despicable Me, even though he is not considered a vampire.
- Underworld (2003-2016): Starring the very sexy Kate Beckinsale it is a vampire action movie about an underground system of monsters living in modern day. The premise is essentially a modern day war between vampires and werewolves (a common theme in vampire content). It has all the modern day vampire attributes with the very pale skin and the tight black leather.
- Dark Shadows (2012): Directed by the king of the Gothic genre, Tim Burton and starring his prodigy Johnny Depp this pertains to the popular 1960s comedy. It has a slew of big name actors such as Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, and Jackie Earle Haley.
- Twlight Saga (2008-2012): This very popular teenage drama pertains to vampire romance and conflicts with other vampires and werewolves. I never cared much for the series but am giving it another try this time around. Two movies in, I'm still not very impressed.
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