Folkloric Vampires
The Folkloric vampires are associated with many characteristics that include deadly creature, hideous creature, a demon, and also a sexualized teenager. However, “The Vampyre” depicts a combination of ignorance and acknowledge of old Vampire Folklore. This is because today’s vampire folklores describes vampire creature as an aristocratic, seductive, and handsome figure. However, Lord Ruthven described as a character who engages in different fashionable vices; for instance, he engages in many destructive actions something that encourages Aubrey to inform friends so that they can resign from such activities. For example, Strigoi is a vampire that was referred to as a witch due to engaging in inhuman activities such as the killing of children and virgin females (Perkowski, pg. 35).
Ruthven’s is considered evil in nature but not a supernatural form. Ruthven’s evil nature was portrayed to Aubrey in Rome hence opting to leave his friend, Ruthven. Aubrey warns Ruthven’s about vampirism although he fails to associate it with a supernatural cause. This shows the differences between Aubrey and Ruthven since one does not support vampirism action that was destructive in the society something that encourages Aubrey to inform friends so that they can resign from such activities something that encourages Aubrey to inform friends so that they can resign from such activities (Perkowski, pg. 24). The absence of a supernatural explanation for actions and behavior associated with Ruthven represents Rome’s lack of vampire legend.
The demonic and teenager sexuality are also characteristics depicted in the vampire folklore. Polidori reveals the vampire desire for human blood. Polidori explains that the vampire used to feed on the blood of his friends. Shockingly, the vampire is interested in lovely females and enjoys feeding upon the sexy women. Vampire legends associate vampire with women despite the evidence attributing vampire with drinking the young children’s blood. Many legends are that Vampire prefers children’s blood because it is pure and strong. Such killing of children proves the characteristic nature of the demon associated with vampire folklore.
The aspects of seductiveness and sexuality are enhanced vampires’ attention toward lovely females. This is evident as the vampire chooses Aubrey’s sister as the primary victim across the story. Virgin beautiful women have referenced folklore since they are believed to have the same blood as that of children. The Vampire is referred to as beautiful but modern society associates it with monsters and corpses. However, Lord Ruthven had a beautiful face similarly to the women he used to feed on. However, Romanian folklore describes vampires as inhuman and hideous; for instance, strigoi a term which referred to as a witch.
Work Cited
Perkowski, Jan L. “The Romanian folkloric vampire.” East European Quarterly 16.3 (1982): 311.