They have. I think they were projecting, though. They certainly couldn't know of my manly love for <url=http://media.photobucket.com/image/Archer%20fate/StarLe19/Fate%20Stay%20Night/Archer/ArcherUnlimitedBladeWorks.jpg>Archer and <url=http://www.dmc3.co.uk/artwork/dante5.jpg>Dante...
People tend to see them as these mysterious, beautiful creatures, and obviously they are drawn to them for those reasons, but mostly I think it's because somewhere along the line, somebody decided that they were all romantic and shit. But really, you wouldn't fall in love with your food, would you?
Female vampires are very lascivious and sexual.
Male vampires, however, are sissies.
If I were to choose a new identity for myself, I'd prefer zombies or pirates. Or zombie pirates. LeChuck for the win!
Also, some of those pirate lasses are really hot, too...
The sexual imagery is *definitely* part of the appeal...especially during the romanticization of vampires in the Victorian era, an incredibly sexually repressed era.
Vampires are also the 'outsider' who is still cooler, more powerful, more dangerous - and therefore able to shun convention.
Here's an academic discussion about 'Vampires versus zombies' ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdam7vNHkYk
funny stuff...
Most of the appeal comes from the undead state of them. Since the dawn of man, every civilisation has wondered what happens after we die and often supernatural ideas of them being animated in some form come about.
As for vampires, the real appeal for them above others come from sex and overpowering. Biting the neck is a very sexual act (at least in its idea, not so much nowadays), along with penetration (of the skin) and domination (biting often from behind).
Though as for their recent rise, I'm inclined to agree with the AIDs comment by a previous poster. Underneath the myth I suppose is the transfer of blood, probably a taboo subject.
The only type of vampire we would ever idolize is the type of vampire that got severely romantisized by the movies. I would never want to be one of those though. Imagine seeing everyone die around you, noone you care about can ever live as long as you do. You could make them vampires so they could, but would you do that to someone? Personally I wouldn't want to be one.
In the movies they can sometimes be incredibly sexy though, I'll give ya that.
Goth, sexy, powerful, and most of all, immortal. That brings with it a lot people seem to be curious about, with all right. Imagine being able to life an enjoyable life for as long as you like. Do whatever you want, love as much as you can, and be with the fellow immortals you love for all eternity.
I suppose the longing for immortality is somewhat connected to our survival instincts.
Zen, between that and your Kenshin avatar, you have proven yourself to be a person with truly groovy taste. So there.
Back on topic, vampires are cool 'cause they're sexy, and they're sexy because people wrote them sexy. People wrote them sexy because they're easy to write.
Werewolfs, and other lycanthropic/shapshifter critters by their very nature have issues related to the forms they become, and really not much else. Demons were still far too overtly influenced by medieval imagery as Red Fawn-like things with pointed tales in the Victorian era, for reasons that I'm not quite good enough to trace right now. Most other forms of the living dead are functionally impaired, either physically (ghosts, mummies) or mentally (zombies, ghouls, revenants, et cetera). Giants are not subtle or classy. Lovecarft's horrid things are too outlandish. Homunculi such as Frankenstein are rarely interested in anything other than themselves and their creator. And the Fey just aren't quite human enough, and are actually too prone to avoiding human contact.
Vampires lack most of those problems. There abilities are virtually limitless depending on the myth (everything from regeneration to telekinesis to witchcraft, depending on which myths you used). They can look as human (Angel) or as inhuman (Nosferatu) as you'd like. They can be clever (Dracula) or feral (many of Blade's weaker adversaries). They can be ruled by matriarchs(Charmed), patriarchs(Dracula), or completely independent(Alucard). And most importantly, their one key trait--a dependency on humans for sustenance requires the continual contact and interest in human affairs, making a character who needs minimal motive as a villain. Vampires are one of the easiest mythological beings to write in personification because they are not altogether far from humanity, either metaphorically or literally.
For the record, despite the fact that most people love the buggers, I find them rather uninteresting, as they are usually grossly overpowered or grossly underpowered, depending on the are and skill. Personally, I like smart zombies better. We don't mind impalement, and we are much better singers and dancers. Just ask Norma, heh.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
