Sophius
06-03-2011, 02:11 PM
I have done exstensive reading of the horror genre, and I have found that much of post Stoker horror seems to use Dracula as a template for it's villains. Dracula himself can be considered a very terrifying villain, in that he remains in the shadows for the majority of the novel, creating a sense of suspense and mystique surrounding the character. And, if one looks to more modern horror, many villains fall under this category.
Take Lovecraft as an example. Lovecraft, though he deviates slightly from Stokers craft of the villain, making them into intangible monstrosities, we will usually not see the villain until the end of the piece, as his eldritch abominations often lurk just below the surface of peception until revealing their monstrous forms to a quickly maddened character at the end.
Then, if we go a little furhter, we can look at Richard Matheson's Hell House, where the villain, Emeric Balasco, is not seen until the very end.
Tne of course there is Stephen King, who's villains are quite apparently Dracula-esque, the most notable examples being Kurt Barlow(who is meant to be Dracula), Randall Flagg, and Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
Are there any thoughts on the topic?
Take Lovecraft as an example. Lovecraft, though he deviates slightly from Stokers craft of the villain, making them into intangible monstrosities, we will usually not see the villain until the end of the piece, as his eldritch abominations often lurk just below the surface of peception until revealing their monstrous forms to a quickly maddened character at the end.
Then, if we go a little furhter, we can look at Richard Matheson's Hell House, where the villain, Emeric Balasco, is not seen until the very end.
Tne of course there is Stephen King, who's villains are quite apparently Dracula-esque, the most notable examples being Kurt Barlow(who is meant to be Dracula), Randall Flagg, and Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
Are there any thoughts on the topic?