Creatures with vampiric characteristics and traits can be traced all the way back to ancient Greece, with stories of these blood-thirsty beings attacking innocent civilians and draining them of bodily fluids. Fast forward to the medieval times where in Europe there was talk of walking corpses who drank the blood of the living and spread diseases far and wide. These spooky tales existed far before channels of modern media existed, yet somehow Vampires have evolved with the rest of pop culture to captivate audiences in today’s day and age. They are proof that even ancient ideas can be modernized.
The iconic tale of Count Dracula, popularized by Bram Stoker in 1897, serves as a cornerstone of modern vampiric lore in English literature and media. This chilling narrative was set in England, and involved Dracula, a mortal Transylvanian vampire, who sucked his victim’s blood and had an evil lair. This initial depiction marked a significant shift from earlier representations of vampires, moving them from monstrous blood-thirsty creatures to alluring occults. This transformation can be traced back to John Polidori’s 1819 short story, "The Vampyre," where Lord Ruthven, inspired by Lord Byron, set the precedent for vampires as sophisticated and charismatic figures.
Historical accounts reveal that the vampire mythology predates Dracula and is actually steeped within England’s local lore and cultural practices. For instance, the Croglin Vampire (Cumberland, 18th century), and the Buckinghamshire Vampire, (Newburgh, 12th century) illustrate how communities reacted to the concept of the undead as a whole.
As the vampire myths and legends evolved, these fanged occults became increasingly romanticized in popular culture.
The Croglin Vampire (David Castleton)
In the 20th century vampires began to change from being depicted as predominantly animalistic creatures and to displaying more human-like characteristics. In addition to humanization, focus also ultimately shifted from a reputation of terror to a rather romantic and charming allure. Dracula could never—the vampire’s we see in the media today are more heartthrob than horror. This transformation is evident in modern portrayals that emphasize the vampire’s charm and fascinating complexity, inviting audiences to explore themes of immortality and redefine moral interpretations. The enduring appeal of vampires is reflected in their depiction in works like The Vampire Diaries and Twilight, solidifying their place in popular culture as well as predominantly shedding a new light. These vampire TV shows have become quite popular among a wide variety of audiences, and though the attractive actors and actresses might initially sell the show, the audience falls in love with the vampire storylines and characters as well.
But what does marketing have to do with vampires?
The Vampire Diaries Cast (TV Insider)
The complex yet rich history of vampire folklore highlights how these iconic figures have proficiently been redefined highlighting the monstrous power of rebrand.. Though vampires may be fictional, let their tangible identity shifts within the media serve as a compelling example of how brands can successfully adapt to shifting cultural landscapes while staying true to themselves. sometimes staying relevant requires rebranding to keep up with the times—whether you're a bloodsucker or a business. Who knew we could learn a thing or two from vampires?
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The Rebranding of Vampires: From Horror to Pop Culture
History.com Editors. (2024, June 25). Vampire history. History. https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/vampire-history
Karger, J. (n.d.). The evolution of the vampire. Fictionate. https://fictionate.me/blog/evolution-vampires-popular-culture
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Vampires in popular culture. Wikipedia. Retrieved October 28, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampires_in_popular_culture
