Nosferatu Analysis

F. W. Murnau’s Nosferatu was a powerful commentary on disease and lust for its time. The character of Count Orlok himself was a metaphor for most evils such as disease, lust, and death. Towards the end of the film, people began to get sick from a disease that originated from Transylvania. What also causes widespread epidemics is that people unknowingly carry them into their home countries. Paranoia of the disease is also a crucial element of the film. The film’s innovative use of shadows and lighting also add more depth and suspense to the film and adds on to the commentary and social themes of the film. The iconic scene where Orlok went up the staircase and you saw nothing but his shadow stuck out to audiences all around for good reason.

The entire character of Count Orlok is a representation of evil in

An example of this paranoia would be Ellen’s nightmare. The text during the scene said “her soul heard the call of the deathbird”. This is not only paranoia and anxiety, but it is also a foreshadowing of the finale of the film as Nosferatu arrives into town spreading death and later dies because of Ellen. Nosferatu’s one weakness in the entire film is described as “an innocent maiden” sacrificing her own

The theme of lust corrupting people. Nosferatu’s lust for blood brought him to his own demise during the plague that he began. The white dress Ellen wore in the sequence can be a representation for purity and innocence while Orlok was the complete opposite of those along with him wearing a black outfit. With those elements the scene also represents light versus darkness as the “darkness” was taking the blood of the “light”. As the metaphoric light and darkness were battling each other, a literal force of light came and destroyed the darkness. The rising sun put a stop to both the disease and