Vampires in History and Literature

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Vampires in History and Literature
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Vlad Dracula

• 1431 - 1476
• Member of the Order of the Dragon-a secret
  society
• In Romania, surrounded by the Carpathian Mtns.
• Nickname Vlad the Impaler

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Hostage

• Spent early years pillaging small towns in the
  name of Christianity
• 1442 father gave Vlad and his brother to Sultan
  Murad II as a hostages to prove his loyalty
• Was held until 1448 it was during this time
  that he lost all sense of humanity

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What Vlad Learned in Captivity

• Morality is not essential in matters of state
• Turkish Language
• Trickery
• Cunning, insubordination
• Brutality his own guards were often afraid of
  him
• Revenge never forgive and never forget
• Became very well educated

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1447-1448

• Vlads father was suspected of planning an
  assault against the Turks
• He was assassinated and Vlads older brother had
  his eyes burned out with a hot poker and he was
  buried alive
• Vlad was released as his captors wanted him to
  fight for them and eventually lead their country
• Vlad flees to northern Romania to his cousin,
  Prince Stephen

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A Frightening Tyrant

• Known for impaling people by the thousands and
  leaving the bodies until they fell apart
• Vlads body was believed to be buried at the
  Island Monastery of Snagov
• Body has never been located

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Porphyria
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Legend How does one become a Vampire?

• Ancient legend suggests that a person would die,
  then rise as a vampire
• Alcoholic
• Those who died lonely or who were not mourned
  properly
• Suicide
• Robbers, Arsonists, Prostitutes
• 7th Child, or a child born with teeth, covered
  with hair or a split lip
• Red birthmark
• Brother is a sleepwalker

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Legend How does one become a Vampire?

• Die in childbirth
• Die as a child
• Illegitimate child
• The Bite (1 time or 3 times)

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Vampire Characteristics

• No reflection
• Super-human strength
• Highly attractive
• Drink the blood of a living being
• Very cold/no heart beat

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How To Kill a Vampire

• Fire
• Sunlight
• Holy Water
• Burn them with a Crucifix
• Chop off the head
• Stake in the heart

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The Vampire in Literature

• Dracula, by Bram Stoker
• Set the standard for vampire stereotypes
  crucufix, garlic, wild rose, mountain ash will
  scare a vampire
• Can be killed with sun or a stake through the
  heart
• Count Dracula is not a saint but he has human
  emotions and desires