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How Sexy Vampires Originated From a Seductive Poet
Why are vampires depicted as beautiful? Shouldn’t bloodsuckers be hideous and terrifying?
For many centuries, vampires were not just scary but also very ugly. They were described as human mutants with claws, horns, and beaks. These original vampires from folklore were hideous corpses equivalent more to our modern-day view of zombies than the sexually-appealing and enchantingly evil vampires of today.
We have 19th century ‘bad boy’ Lord Byron to thank for this drastic change.
Lord Byron is the most renowned poet in the Romantic era and he enthralled London society with his good looks, captivating charm, and literary genius. Coined as, “mad, bad, and dangerous to know,” Lord Byron was an enigmatic figure who had legions of fawning admirers and an enrapturing persona that captivated public attention. He had everything: literary fame, an aristocratic title, riches, handsome looks, and staggering popularity.
Despite his growing success and fame, Lord Byron was considered scandalous due to his many sordid affairs and casual dalliances, ranging from high-born ladies to stage-renowned actresses and prostitutes. His reputation hit rock bottom after the sudden failure of his marriage with Annabella Milbanke. The divorce that followed…
