The nineteenth century was the century of the vampire. No longer were vampires creepy, ghoulish, dirty monsters to be feared and loathed. Vampires assumed a fresh persona, one of charm, sexuality, and power. Here's a brief overview of 3 works of vampire fiction that fueled today's vampire craze.

The Vampyre by John Polidori

Penned in 1819, this novella is regarded as the basis of the present day romantic vampire. A young Englishman named Aubrey meets Lord Ruthven, a newcomer to London society and a person of unknown origin. Aubrey and Ruthven start to travel lower Europe. Along their travels, there are several vampire attacks. Aubrey doesn't connect the dots at first. Outlaws attack the pair in the course of their trip and Ruthven is fatally injured. Just before Ruthven dies, he forces Aubrey to promise that he will not disclose anything about the pair's travels for a week plus a day. Aubrey goes back to London where he comes across Ruthven again. He is alive and unharmed. Ruthven reminds Aubrey of the vow he made.

Ruthven focuses his attention on the sister of Aubrey. Unable to tell her of Ruthven's true nature, Aubrey has a nervous breakdown and passes away. The couple is married and Ruthven murders Aubrey's sister during the wedding night. Ruthven then escapes into the night and gets away.

Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

Carmilla is a work that was penned in 1872. A female vampire with the name of Carmilla takes an interest in a beautiful young woman named Laura. Laura and her father reside in a castle in the deepest parts of Styria. Over time, Laura is entranced by Carmilla's spell. Laura is both repulsed and attracted to Carmilla, but she is unable to resist her.

In the meantime, the peasants in the outskirts are strangely falling ill. Laura is saved in the end. Carmilla is beaten off by General Spielsdorf, a man who has had former confrontations with vampires.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Dracula details the adventure of Count Dracula, a vampire who falls in love with Mina Murray. Mina is affianced to Jonathan Harker, who is concerned by Mina's captivation with the perplexing Count. Jonathan enlists the aid of Dr. Van Helsing. Together the duo liberates Mina from Dracula's grasp.

Modern scholars agree that Dracula was heavily influenced by Carmilla. Written in 1897 by Stoker, the Irish author created the most famous vampire of all time. There are several similarities between Carmilla and Dracula. Mina, the love interest of Dracula, is very much like Laura, the love interest of Carmilla. Both families are of aristocratic lineage. Van Helsing, Dracula's protagonist, is similar in many ways to General Spielsdorf, the protagonist of Carmilla. Without a doubt, Bram Stoker based his work heavily on the former work of Joseph Le Fanu.

More than any other vampire character, Dracula most shaped today's concept of what vampires are like. Dracula was sexual, charming, powerful, and blessed (and cursed) with eternal life.

Conclusion

Vampire tales of the nineteenth century to a large degree impacted how we perceive vampires today. The passion in The Vampyre, Dracula, and Carmilla is unconcealed. Never before were vampires portrayed as sensual and sexual beings. These novels also characterize vampires in a human manner. In the past vampires had been characterized as apparitions, ghouls, or spirits. Through the writings of these authors, vampires have forever been recreated and have assumed the focus of modern-day horror.