Who was the real life count dracula from bram stokers. His sobriquet dracula meaning son of dracul was derived from the latin draco dragon after his fathers induction into the order of the dragon, created by holy roman emperor sigismund for the defense of christian europe against the ottoman empire. I loved learning more about the complexity and political dynamics of the time period, as well as more about the romanian, hungarian and turkish history. The novel tells the story of draculas attempt to move from transylvania to england so that he may find new blood and spread the undead curse, and of the battle between dracula and a small group of men and a woman led by professor abraham van helsing. The play dracula dramatized by hamilton dean and john l. Portrait of sabine baringgould, who is said to have inspired the character. Travel brochures, maps and advice about romania, sighisoara transylvania, poenari fortress, bran dracula s castle, borgo pass. In her book the essential dracula, clare hawordmaden suggested that the castle of count dracula was inspired by slains castle, at which bram stoker was a guest of the 19th earl of erroll. Well every time ive visited ive pretty much been ignored for your books, or should i say book. The popular image of dracula is of a bloodsucking vampire, who snoozes in a coffin and turns into a bat when the sun goes down owes much to bram stoker. Find out why dracula was called son of the dragon, his true story and if he really was a hero or a villain.
Count dracula, stoker certainly drew on popular central european folktales about the nosferatu undead, but he also seems to have been inspired by historical. The theory that vlad iii and dracula were the same person was developed and popularized by historians radu florescu and raymond t. Well, in no uncertain terms i thought that this was a great program really. The book presents several colour illustrations, and these certainly does add to the narrative, as the art usefully depicts the most important aspects of the story. It managed to convey who dracula was as a man, whilst doing it through his surroundings and his methods.
The real history that went into bram stokers dracula time. The legend of count dracula and history of voivode vlad the impaler, the reallife hero who inspired the legend. In the conversation, dracula refers to the voivode of the dracula race who fought against the turks after the defeat in the battle of kosovo. However, bram stokers dracula, which was published in 1897, was the first book to make a connection between dracula and vampirism. Instead, dracula is believed to be based on a real, historical figure, though how much of a vampire he was will be decided by the readers. The novel tells the story of dracula s attempt to move from transylvania to england so that. In addition, it is also an enduring classic of literature. Count dracula is a fictional character, the titular antagonist of bram stokers 1897 gothic horror novel dracula and archetypal vampire. The contents were taken to the history museum in bucharest but have since disappeared without a trace, leaving the mysteries of the real prince dracula unanswered. It follows the vampire count dracula from his castle in transylvania to england, where he is hunted while turning others into vampires. Vlad iii, or vlad the impaler, prince of wallachia now romania. An erotic reimagining of the myth of dracula presents an alltoohuman count, a beloved doctor obsessed with possessing and destroying young women, whose. The word dracula wasnt something that bram stoker made up for his book.
It wasnt until he came across documents during his research at the british museum that novelist bram stoker found the man who would serve as the perfect foundation for his classic gothic horror character, count dracula source. Count dracula book character universal monsters wiki. May 30, 2011 if you mean count dracula, the book character. Vlad dracula vlad son of the dragon or vlad tepes vlad the impaler, as his story has come down through history, was a terrible man and a savage ruler. Mar 26, 2020 dream casting is an imaginative look at the casting process of potential hollywood projects based on comics and other media. Really i thought you would have had enough horror in your life, ginny said before tapping the book she set down, here this is much better, not nearly as scary and it has hot vampires and is an actual. He is often considered one of the most important rulers in. Universally recognized as the archetype of the vampire, he is one of the most famous fictional characters and horror icons of all time. Bram stoker wrote the novel dracula in 1897 although vampire legends existed before he wrote this book, stoker created what has become the most wellknown version of a vampire a version that still persists through literature and film today, based on the historical figure vlad the impaler. Bram stokers version of dracula is one of the most timeless monsters in literature, and one of the first examples of a classic vampireelegant, brooding, and with a thirst for human blood.
Vampires are rampant in pop culture nowadays between films, television and novels such as twilight and true blood. It is not immediately clear for what offense dracula must obtain revenge, but the most convincing answer comes in the opening chapters, when dracula relates the proud but disappointing history of his. But before the days of edward cullen and even before buffy, there was one vampire who trumped all others. But it turns out that the inspiration for this dark kingdom is real, found in a romanian province. You will find here historical facts, what is true and what is not true about dracula movie and dracula book. Ok, so now that ive got my history and the facts out of the way with, what did i think about history the real dracula, huh. Bram stokers dracula is, hands down, the greatest horror novel ever written. Gives the basic life story of vlad dracula with several german sources quoted several of which were admittedly documented many years after the fact. Dracula by bram stoker is the ultimate horror classic of all times. Dracula is an 1897 gothic horror novel by irish author bram stoker.
Dracula was not the first vampire novel, nor was it bram stokers first book. The terrifying true story of vlad the impaler historys. It wasnt until he came across documents during his research at the british museum that novelist bram stoker found the man who would serve as the perfect foundation for his classic gothic horror character, count. Sep 11, 2016 10 facts about the real dracula, the real dracula was a horrid man no wonder they call him the vlad the impaler click here to subscribe. Stoker chose bran castle as the fictional home of count dracula, which is commonly referred to as draculas castle, along with poenari. The fictional dracula was loosely based on a real person with an equally. From 1448 until his death in 1476, dracula ruled walachia and transylvania, both part of romania today. Both count dracula and vlad iii dracula also shared similarities in their personal clashes with the neighbouring ottomans, highlighted during a conversation in chapter 3 of the book. Some in the scholarly community have suggested that bram stokers dracula character was based on vlad. In that novel bran stoker tell about character of dracula, who actually is based on a real. Vlad the impaler, prince of walachia now in romania whose cruel methods of punishing his enemies gained notoriety in 15thcentury europe. Apr 20, 2010 if you mean count dracula, the book character. Read this book now dracula the vampire count dracula is trying to relocate from transylvania to england. As harker wends his way through the picturesque countryside, the local peasants warn him about his destination, giving him crucifixes and other charms.
The real story offers readers an up close account of draculas life in the 15th century. Some aspects of his character have been inspired by the 15th century wallachian prince vlad iii the impaler. The count dracula in the book, which critics described as the most bloodcurdling novel of the paralyzed century, was no more than a madeup character. Apart from the marvellous bram stokers inspirational book, count dracula was originally the former romanian ruler vlad tepes. In the book, dracula acquires languages and skills by studying them, and harker remarks that the count possesses a quick intelligence. But after years of research, stoker managed to craft the ultimate vampire novel, which has spawned countless movies, spinoffs, and books that follow the blueprint of the transylvanian count. The secret life of laszlo, count dracula thriftbooks. The character appears frequently in all manner of popular culture, from films to animated media to breakfast cereals. Jonathan harker, a young english lawyer, travels to castle dracula in the eastern european country of transylvania to conclude a real estate transaction with a nobleman named count dracula.
Count draculas legend and the history of vlad the impaler. Once upon a time, in the mysterious and creepy realm of dracula there were people who lived in fear of the real blood sucker. The popular conception of dracula runs the gamut from horrific vampire to comic relief like grandpa on the tv show the munsters. When dracul was young, he was sent away to an ottoman empire in anatolia because of their father. It follows the vampire count dracula from his castle in transylvania to england. Buy a cheap copy of the secret life of laszlo, count. For anyone interested in taking a first, tentative step towards understanding the plot of dracula then this is.
According to miller, he first visited cruden bay in 1893, three years after work had begun on dracula. Travel brochures, maps and advice about romania, sighisoara transylvania, poenari fortress, bran. In the bbcnetflix version, dracula downloads the knowledge that he needs by drinking the blood of those that hold it. Norman itzkowitz traces the life of vlad dracula, a prince who ruled with a thirst for blood so terrible that the most famous vampire in literature was named after him. Vlad iii dracula, known as vlad the impaler romanian. Romania tourism offers information regarding places to visit, historic facts. Vlad the impaler is often sited as the inspiration behind bram stokers character dracula. Dracula ist ein 1897 veroffentlichter roman des irischen schriftstellers bram stoker. The fortress is situated on the border between transylvania and wallachia. The sentence that got to him was, i use to think of the book as a friend, i hate the ending where dracula is killed i use to change it to where. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2. Most scholars believe that bram stoker based his evil count dracula on a reallife 15thcentury prince in wallachia, romania. Read about and see a picture of vlad dracula, the real dracula.
Sep 14, 2017 the fictional dracula was loosely based on a real person with an equally disturbing taste for blood. Professor abraham van helsing and his group battle with count dracula to prevent him from spreading the curse. The real count dracula wicked history paperback by no enid a. However, during his lifetime, vlad tepes was also known as vlad dracul, a name derived from his title as son of the dragon. Count dracula book character universal monsters wiki fandom.
Bran castle is perhaps the most famous dracula location and is now one of the most respected national landmarks in romania. Bram stoker s version of dracula is one of the most timeless monsters in literature, and one of the first examples of a classic vampireelegant, brooding, and with a thirst for human blood. But despite all the innocent women dracula seduced and drained of blood, he cant even hold the stub of a candle to his reallife namesake. Mercy brown may rival count dracula as the most notorious vampire. Dracula based on the novel by bram stoker thoughtco. Some aspects of the character are believed to have been inspired by the 15thcentury wallachian prince vlad the impaler, who was also known as dracula. Real life vampire count dracula was actually a priest.
Vlads real name is vladul, and the original story of dracula is based on him. History channel the real count dracula comic book and. It introduced the character of count dracula and established many conventions of subsequent vampire fantasy. Stokers dracula is thought to have been based on the 15 th century prince of wallachia modern day romania, vlad iii. The legend of count dracula and history of voivode vlad the impaler, the real life hero who inspired the legend. Dracula castle in transylvania and the real story about. Top 5 sites for visiting the real count dracula vlad the.
Vlad iii, prince of wallachia or as he is better known vlad the impaler vlad tepes. Top 5 sites for visiting the real count dracula vlad the impaler. Who was the real life count dracula from bram stokers novel. Dec 18, 2015 vlad the impaler is often sited as the inspiration behind bram stokers character dracula.
His father, vlad ii, was a member of a secret society known as the order of the dragon. It introduced the character of count dracula and established many conventions of. The reallife dracula who inspired the bloodthirsty tale. Count dracula his first name is never disclosed is the titular main antagonist of the 1897 legendary horror novel dracula by the late author bram stoker. Most of us thought that dracula was merely a story written by writer bram stoker. Vlad tepes pronounced tepish, a 15thcentury prince from the dark, forested mountains of eastern europe was his inspiration. Both children and adults will find this book captivating, interesting and informative. It tells the story of a vampire named count dracula who tries to move from transylvania to england in pursuit of new blood. Check out scholastics the real dracula printables and worksheets for all ages that cover subjects like reading, writing, math and science. Following the success of the invisible man, universal and a24 have tapped karyn kusama to make a new version of dracula. Bram stokers most famous creation has captivated us for centuries, even inspiring incredible works of fine press. Jun 20, 2018 dracula is the name given to vlad tepes because of the famous novel with the same name.
For fans worldwide bram stokers dracula as immortalised in the book and countless films of the same name is the real story of dracula, teeth and all. Haining and tremaine maintain that, during this visit. He was so proud to be a member that he had his name changed to dracul. Engaging biographies of famous and infamous figures in. Vlad the impaler vlad dracula, or vlad the impaler as he became known, was the bloodthirsty prince of wallachia. If you thought count dracula was from transylvania then it is time to think again.
A tale about a creature that feeds on the blood to survive, but also a tale of friendship and love, described and presented in a way we rarely have a privilege to see these days. You may have seen every dracula movie ever made, but you do not know the real count dracula until such time as you have read stokers book. It had this name according to the bram stokers novel. Vlad the impaler the inspiration behind count dracula. If studying dracula this book alone should not be used as a single source to uncover the truth, but over all a quick and good read. Reexamines the life of vlad the impaler dracula, the fifteenthcentury romanian prince who served as a model for bram stokers infamous vampire, in terms of the violent times in which he lived. Nov 22, 2017 the count dracula in the book, which critics described as the most bloodcurdling novel of the paralyzed century, was no more than a madeup character. Dracula, novel by bram stoker, derived from vampire legends and published in 1897, that became the basis for an entire genre of literature and film.
It introduced count dracula, and established many conventions of subsequent vampire fantasy. Dracula castle is located in northeast transylvania going by dracula or northern wallachia the location of vlad the impalers poenari castle. He startled the vampire by starting at age seven and how the neglect and abuse from his relatives is what made the book dracula so thrilling for him. Draculas father was murdered, while his older brother, mircea, was blinded with redhot iron stakes and buried alive. But many believe the bloodthirsty figure was based on a real person known as vlad the impaler, a fearsome monarch known for his ruthlessness and historys real dracula. Unlike count dracula, however, mercy was a real person. Bram stoker claimed that many of the characters in his novel dracula were real people.
Count dracula is the title character of bram stokers 1897 gothic horror novel dracula. And it could be the case that the real life count dracula was actually a priest from exeter. The novel tells the story of draculas attempt to move from transylvania to england so that. Vlad was born sometime between 1428 and 1431, probably in sighisaora, transylvania. Vlad the impaler was a romanian prince who, when the turks invaded his country, had them impaled on long, wooden poles. Professor abraham van helsing and his group battle with count dracula to.
May 08, 2014 instead, dracula is believed to be based on a real, historical figure, though how much of a vampire he was will be decided by the readers. Dracula is a gothic novel written by bram stoker and first published in the year 1897. Dracula is depicted in the novel to be the origin of werewolf legends. About dracula myth and history facts, count dracula. Stoker had his attention drawn to the bloodsucking vampires of romanian folklore by emily gerard s article about transylvanian superstitions published in 1885. Dracula is an epistolary gothic horror novel written in 1897 by bram stoker, an irish author who became famous after writing about the vampire named count dracula, who later on had many interpretations theater, movie and television. Dracula was imprisoned, first by the turks, who hauled him away in chains, and later by the hungarians.
1382 988 1297 498 673 553 377 293 1042 1049 560 355 693 256 362 954 959 1321 1511 1334 1254 200 792 193 696 293 464 548 1109 139 800 1296 68