Thinking in English 359. History of Vampires (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Oct 27, 2025
Dive into the eerie origins of vampire lore, from ancient myths to medieval fears. Discover how figures like Vlad the Impaler shaped our nightmares. Explore the shift of vampires in literature from terrifying to romanticized icons. Uncover the societal fears these creatures embody, evolving through time. Gain insight into the term 'vampire' and its linguistic journey into English. Finally, learn the psychological reasons behind our fascination with blood-drinking monsters, reflecting our deepest fears and desires.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Monsters Explain The Unknown
- Ancient cultures created blood-drinking monsters to explain unexplained death and disease.
- Tom Wilkinson shows these myths often blamed corpses or spirits when decomposition and plague were misunderstood.
Decomposition Fueled Vampire Panic
- Misunderstood decomposition made corpses appear 'alive' and fuelled vampire fears.
- Wilkinson explains villagers misread natural postmortem changes as signs of the dead rising.
Real People Inspired Vampire Legends
- Tom Wilkinson links real historical figures to vampire legends, notably Vlad the Impaler and Elizabeth Bathory.
- He explains their reputations and stories inspired writers and the blood-and-beauty connection.
