Different MAN different PERSPECTIVES: In-Class Task 7: Hypertext & Hypermedia

The Myth, Legend and Reality of the Vampire

From the beginning of history, vampire-like spirits and beings have been recorded. Vampire legends have a distinct background bridging several cultures and eras, making them some of the most compelling stories ever told.Vampires and vampire legend play significant roles in the cultures of many areas around the world. These blood-sucking beings are most common in the cultures of Eastern Europe, although similar manifestations are reported in some Asian cultures as well as some ancient cultures. Vampire legends have a distinct background bridging several cultures and eras, making them some of the most compelling stories ever told. Is it only merely a myth or it has its own true story. The first step in understanding vampire lore is to understand some of the biological reasons that may have led to such beliefs.

One of the most plausible explanations for vampire myths is the disease porphyria (video link), which occurred frequently in Transylvania. What is porphyria and why it is related with vampire myths? Porphyria is a blood-related condition where a vital function of blood cells is lost. This results in rapid tissue damage, giving the victim a ghastly pallor and enlarged teeth due to gum damage. The effects of porphyria are greatly amplified upon exposure to the sun, making sun light a likely threat victims would try to avoid at all costs. It is also believed that certain strains of porphyria are associated with neurological conditions, which would result in insanity. This condition also explains the practice of drinking blood, as these people would likely drink animal blood as a cure for the anemia associated with porphyria. Another explanation for this legend is the disease rabies, as it leads to hypersensitivity, unusual sleep patterns, and intense sexuality. What kind of disease is rabbies actually? Rabies(video link) is also associated with the compulsion to bite others, and a bloody foaming at the mouth. These two diseases could possibly explain the origins of vampire legends, and perhaps also why they are so widespread.

References:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/the-myth-legend-and-reality-of-the-vampire.html

http://www.trueghosttales.com/vampires.php

http://www.tabula-rasa.info/Horror/VampireMythos.html

http://www.fvza.org/vmyths.html

http://theshadowlands.net/vamp2.html

http://www2.lib.virginia.edu/exhibits/gothic/vampire.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porphyria

http://www.healthofchildren.com/P/Porphyrias.html

http://www.worldrabiesday.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabies

http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/Communicable/factsheets/Rabies.htm