Vampires in History and Literature

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

Hostage Spent early years pillaging small towns in the name of Christianity 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 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 Was held until 1448 – it was during this time that he lost all sense of humanity

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

Vlad’s father was suspected of planning an assault against the Turks Vlad’s father was suspected of planning an assault against the Turks He was assassinated and Vlad’s older brother had his eyes burned out with a hot poker and he was buried alive He was assassinated and Vlad’s 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 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 Vlad flees to northern Romania to his cousin, Prince Stephen

A Frightening Tyrant Known for impaling people by the thousands and leaving the bodies until they fell apart Known for impaling people by the thousands and leaving the bodies until they fell apart Vlad’s body was believed to be buried at the Island Monastery of Snagov Vlad’s body was believed to be buried at the Island Monastery of Snagov Body has never been located Body has never been located

Porphyria

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

Legend: How does one become a Vampire? Die in childbirth Die in childbirth Die as a child Die as a child Illegitimate child Illegitimate child The Bite (1 time or 3 times) The Bite (1 time or 3 times)

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

How To Kill a Vampire Fire Fire Sunlight Sunlight Holy Water Holy Water Burn them with a Crucifix Burn them with a Crucifix Chop off the head Chop off the head Stake in the heart Stake in the heart

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