Essay: "The Vampyre: A Tale" by John William Polidori
Symbolism of the eye has been used to indicate life
as well as whether the character was good or bad. The eye has been typically
used in gothic literature to resemble "the soul" or the inner depths
of a character. Such is so for Lord Ruthven who at the beginning of the story
is described with "the dead grey eye" symbolising his lack of life
and the evilness within. This creates an air of questioning about his character
and helps with the characterisation of him. This is to the extent that even the
characters in the story begin questioning his appearance as a human. This is
contrasted with the eyes of lanthe "her eye, apparently the eye of
animated nature, for that sleepy luxurious look of the animal suited but to the
taste of an epicure". This imagery of life and high class/refined tastes
shows the inner character of her, how she is pure and alive, not dead.
The use of fear in The Vampyre helps with
characterisation and shows the vices of humanity. Fear has been used to not
only build up suspense and create an eerie feel of mystery and thought but to
also allow for the questioning of what if in The Vampyre. Aubrey at the
beginning is wary of Lord Ruthvens character as he apparently has similar
features to those who are supposed to resemble a vampire. "and his horror
increased by hearing a pretty accurate description of Lord Ruthven". This
fear is perpetuated to the effect that eventually he is worried for the life
of lanthe "which would most likely
end in the ruin of an innocent, though thoughtless girl".
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