The Vampire: How the Genre has Morphed

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Myths of werewolves, witches, and fairies have swept across the world, each being shaped by a culture, time, and other bizarre occurrences that people could not explain. These mythical creatures have terrified and awed audiences from around the world throughout time. One of the most widely known, and changed myths that has ever been shaped by any culture is that of the vampire. The vampire has gone from a feared, practically all-powerful, foul creature, to a popularized icon of mystery, romance, and undeniable sex appeal. Before becoming the vampires of today, the vampire underwent changes in its appearance, the bite that it made, the materials that warded it off, and the way it was, ultimately, destroyed.

Nosferatu, the first vampire film, made in 1922 and directed by F.W. Murnau, portrayed Count Orlok, the vampire, as a beast. It was a monster that slept in a coffin by day, and by night, roamed the lands for fresh blood. The surrounding villages are full of people who are terrified of the Count. Hutter, a real-estate agent, is given a book warning him of the “Nosferatu,” a hideously ugly vampire, by these people. In it, the book says that the vampire feasts on blood of humans, and the only way to stop them is for a woman who is pure of heart to sacrifice herself to him so that he loses track of time and gets caught at day break, foreshadowing the end of the film.

Count Orlok is a revolting looking- creature, closely resembling a rat. He has lengthy fingers and nails, strangely shaped teeth, as well as graying hair. He also has supernatural abilities shown throughout the film, such as super-human strength, transfiguration, and it appears as if he can fly. His super human strength is demonstrated in the scene in which he lif...

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...in the blood: on the heels of the twilight saga's success, Christian novelists are tapping the riches of vampire mythology." Christianity Today Feb. 2010: 36+. Student Resource Center - Gold. Web. 14 Mar. 2010.

Kane, Tim. The Changing Vampire of Film and Television. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company Inc., 2006. 22-218. Print.

Maurer, Harry, and Cristina Linblad. "BOFFO AT EVERY BITE." Business Week 7 Dec. 2009: 8. Student Resource Center - Gold. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.

Miller, John J. "Defanged: once upon a time, the living dead were scary." National Review 8 Feb. 2010: 27. Student Resource Center - Gold. Web. 14 Mar. 2010.

Nosferatu: Symphony of Horrors. Dir. F. W. Murnau. Perf. Max Schrek and Gustav von Wagenheim. Manitoba, 1922. Film.

Twilight. Dir. Catherine Hardwicke. Perf. Robert Pattinson, Kristen Steward. Summit Entertainment, 2008. Film.

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