The Vampyre; a Tale

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

6087

Title

The Vampyre; a Tale

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in Greece, this Gothic tale follows Aubrey, an antiquarian who falls for the innocent Ianthe. Their romance is shattered when Ianthe is killed by a vampyre, leading Aubrey to suspect his charming but dangerous companion, Lord Ruthven. A haunting exploration of supernatural terror and forbidden love.

Summary up to 500 words

John William Polidori's *The Vampyre* presents a chilling narrative of supernatural corruption and the seductive power of evil, set against the backdrop of early 19th-century Greece. The story centers on Aubrey, an English scholar captivated by the innocence and beauty of Ianthe, a Greek girl who shares with him terrifying tales of vampyres. Despite her earnest warnings about a specific wood where these creatures hold nocturnal orgies, Aubrey ignores her pleas and ventures out during a violent storm. He discovers a hut where a woman has been drained of blood by a vampyre, fleeing only to learn shortly after that Ianthe has died, her throat marked with the fiend's teeth. Lord Ruthven, the mysterious and charismatic figure associated with the horror, arrives at Aubrey's bedside. Initially appearing repentant and caring, Ruthven gradually reveals his true nature as he manipulates Aubrey's grief and the affections of Aubrey's sister. Using his supernatural allure, Ruthven wins the sister's love, planning to marry her despite her brother's deteriorating mental state. The narrative culminates in a tragic wedding day; Aubrey, driven mad by guilt and fear, attempts to stop the ceremony. Ruthven taunts him with threats against the sister's honor before vanishing. The tale concludes with the sister's death, confirming she has become a vampyre herself. Polidori weaves a narrative rich in atmospheric dread, exploring themes of corruption, the fragility of innocence against supernatural forces, and the deceptive nature of evil. The story is framed by an introduction detailing the superstitions surrounding vampyrism in the East and West, citing historical accounts of blood-sucking undead. The text also includes an extract from a letter regarding Lord Byron's residence in Greece, providing context for the tale's origins in a ghost-story contest among Byron's circle. Through its gothic imagery and psychological tension, the novel serves as a seminal work in vampire literature, establishing the archetype of the aristocratic, predatory vampire.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Local file path

data/epubs/pg6087.epub

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Categories

• Horror
• Gothic Fiction
• Vampires