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A classic horror figure, vampires have captivated the imagination for ages.

Anne Rice brought vampires to a new level of romanticism with her Lestat series and the image of the vampire has created various cults throughout the world.

What is our fascination with the idea of these creatures?

Is it the idea of immortality, the sensuality of blood, or something else?

Would you really want to be immortal?

koan;485161 wrote: Is it the idea of immortality, the sensuality of blood, or something else?

Would you really want to be immortal?Immortality's lousy, honest. Take it from me. Don't even go near trying.

It's the hypnotic compulsion, the abdication of the will, that people find so fascinating in vampire settings. Bram Stoker got it perfectly with the first of them.

koan;485161 wrote: A classic horror figure, vampires have captivated the imagination for ages.



Anne Rice brought vampires to a new level of romanticism with her Lestat series and the image of the vampire has created various cults throughout the world.



What is our fascination with the idea of these creatures?

Is it the idea of immortality, the sensuality of blood, or something else?

Would you really want to be immortal?
I would say immortality is the main draw. To lose ones fear of death is pretty appetizing. Although I'm not sure that is where our fear should have been placed. We were'nt scared of beign born. And it seems all the work happens while we are alive.

There are two versions of the creature.

The first is an unclean beast of hideous appearance that would rip its victim to pieces rather like a rabid dog. Those are the vampires of horror.

The vampire of appeal is the mysterious stranger who appears in an alley, looking like a GQ model dressed in a Gothic three quarter length jacket with a look of lust in his eye... or, for the guys, looking like Kristanna Loken. They offer you everlasting life and all you have to do is tilt your neck. The only draw back is a bloodlust that sounds more like sex than killing.

koan;485190 wrote: They offer you everlasting life and all you have to do is tilt your neck. The only draw back is a bloodlust that sounds more like sex than killing.


I always thought that vampires were un-dead creatures. That means your soul is no longer present but your (dead) body is possessed by a demon.

Or maybe I dreamt it...

koan;485190 wrote: The only draw back is a bloodlust that sounds more like sex than killing.


I did read once in some dissection of vampire tales that the whole blood/biting thing did represent some kind of sexuality that supposedly wasn't openly present in the society at the time. I believe they were talking more about the "romantic" vampire rather than the Nosferatu kind of guy.



Then you have the romanticism of the vampire's castle and the magic of the night, the full moon, bats. It all goes together I think. Some would go so far as to say the biting would represent the taking of virgins.

It depends which movie you watch.

RedGlitter;485205 wrote: I did read once in some dissection of vampire tales that the whole blood/biting thing did represent some kind of sexuality that supposedly wasn't openly present in the society at the time. I believe they were talking more about the "romantic" vampire rather than the Nosferatu kind of guy.



Then you have the romanticism of the vampire's castle and the magic of the night, the full moon, bats. It all goes together I think. Some would go so far as to say the biting would represent the taking of virgins.


or "weregins" as Udo Kier would say (Andy Warhol's Dracula)

Never thought about it actually, but I loved Anne Rice's books, and have read many more vampire related stories. I think, like someone else pointed out, the immortality is a biggie, but then that's got it's drawbacks as well, what with the demon part of everything. It is, however, a romantic idea as portrayed by some books and movies.

Romantic enough that there are people who consider themselves to actually be vampires and others allow them to drink their blood.

I'll see if I can find reference to a specific group.

I think there was one in New York

Here's a story from Florida:

National News Briefs; Leader of Vampire Cult Gets Death Sentence

Published: February 28, 1998

The teen-age leader of a vampire cult that killed a Florida couple was sentenced today to die in the electric chair.

The leader, Rod Ferrell, 17, showed little emotion as Judge Jerry Lockett of Florida Circuit Court followed the jury's recommendation of death for killing the couple in their home in Eustice, about 30 miles northwest of Orlando.

The youth pleaded guilty to killing Richard Wendorf and Naoma Ruth Queen on Nov. 25, 1996, when he and three members of his cult came to Florida from Kentucky to help the couple's daughter run away.

Investigators said the daughter, Heather, was then inducted into the cult, whose members took drugs, engaged in group sex and drank one another's blood.

Charges against the daughter were dropped when a grand jury failed to indict her. Judge Lockett urged the prosecution to try again.

Yes, I've heard of those groups, and some of it is a bit extreme for me. Liking the lore of vampires is a heck of a lot different than taking on the role, IMO.

there is some kind of allure that catches youth in its grasp.

that's why I put this in the philosophy forum.

I think some of the vampire look that goths take on is a statement about feeling soulless but there are certainly some who like the idea of drinking blood.

Elizabeth Bathory liked the idea so much she bathed in blood.

there is a psychological attraction for some people.

I don't mind goths, I think they're fun but as for "real" vampires who have blood exchanges, whatever they wanna do I guess, but I can't possibly take them seriously.

Aside from the culture of Goths, I think the romantic side of vampires appeals to the sensual and tactile side of human instinct.

I'd agree with that, yes. Thinking of the classic bedroom vampire scene and the four poster bed, the woman victim in a sheer chiffon nightgown (usually white) the Count with his slick black hair and piercing eyes; cape or duster coat with the red satin lining, the ruffled shirt with the cravat thing. Etc. Moonglow through curtains.



Dangit! My dog just passed gas! :-2



Scuse me. Yeah...what I was saying...I agree.



:)

RedGlitter;485568 wrote: I'd agree with that, yes. Thinking of the classic bedroom vampire scene and the four poster bed, the woman victim in a sheer chiffon nightgown (usually white) the Count with his slick black hair and piercing eyes; cape or duster coat with the red satin lining, the ruffled shirt with the cravat thing. Etc. Moonglow through curtains.



Dangit! My dog just passed gas! :-2



Scuse me. Yeah...what I was saying...I agree.



:)


:wah: