Abhartach Explained: Did an Irish Vampire Inspire Dracula?

Summary

This video explores the origins of Count Dracula, debunking the common belief that Bram Stoker's vampire was inspired by the historical Vlad the Impaler. Instead, it suggests that Stoker's creation may have been influenced more by Irish folklore, specifically the legend of the bloodthirsty tyrant Artagh. It also highlights Stoker's connections to Ireland, the social commentary embedded in Dracula, and how the novel subtly addresses contemporary issues in Ireland, particularly the home rule movement. With intriguing historical insights and literary analysis, the video challenges popular myths about Dracula's origins.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dracula, the famous Transylvanian vampire, was commonly linked to the historical figure Vlad the Impaler, but the connection is not as clear-cut as often portrayed.
• 😀 The theory connecting Dracula to Vlad the Impaler was popularized by historians Radu Florescu and Raymond McNally in their 1972 book 'In Search of Dracula'.
• 😀 Bram Stoker, the author of 'Dracula', did not base his vampire character directly on Vlad the Impaler. Stoker never traveled to Transylvania and had a limited understanding of Vlad's history.
• 😀 The name 'Dracula' was chosen by Stoker, but he did not intend to directly associate his character with Vlad the Impaler. Instead, he used it because of its meaning in Romanian (devil) and its association with courage or cruelty.
• 😀 While Stoker didn’t base his vampire on Vlad, there is evidence that his character may have been inspired by the Irish folklore surrounding an undead tyrant named Ardagh, also known as 'Our Talk'.
• 😀 'Our Talk', an Irish tyrant, was considered undead, could not be killed easily, and demanded blood, which mirrors many elements of Dracula's character in Stoker's novel.
• 😀 The character of Ardagh shares similarities with Dracula, especially in the concept of a blood-drinking, undead tyrant who was resurrected multiple times, and was finally subdued in a ceremonial manner.
• 😀 The Irish legend of 'Our Talk' was well known in Irish literary circles, and Stoker may have learned about it through his visits to the Wilde family home in Dublin, where Oscar Wilde’s mother was familiar with the story.
• 😀 Stoker's original title for his novel was 'The Undead', which also references the Irish tale of Our Talk, adding weight to the theory that Dracula’s origins are tied to Irish folklore.
• 😀 Social and political conditions in late 19th-century Ireland, particularly the tensions surrounding Irish nationalism, are reflected in the themes of power and control in 'Dracula', making it an Irish social commentary rather than just a Gothic horror novel.

Q & A

What is the common belief about the inspiration behind Bram Stoker's Dracula?

The common belief is that Bram Stoker's Dracula was inspired by the historical figure Vlad the Impaler, a Wallachian warlord. This connection is often reinforced by documentaries and Hollywood films like *Dracula Untold*.

How did historians Radu Florescu and Raymond T. McNally contribute to the connection between Vlad the Impaler and Dracula?

Historians Radu Florescu and Raymond T. McNally popularized the theory in their 1972 book *In Search of Dracula: The History of Dracula and Vampires*. They suggested that Vlad the Impaler was the inspiration for Dracula, linking him to the vampire legend.

Why does Elizabeth Miller, an expert on Dracula, challenge the theory that Stoker based Dracula on Vlad the Impaler?

Elizabeth Miller argues that Stoker did not base Dracula on Vlad the Impaler. Stoker never visited Transylvania, had little knowledge of Vlad, and there was no association between Vlad and vampires during his lifetime.

What did Stoker believe the name 'Dracula' meant in Wallachian culture?

Stoker believed that the name 'Dracula' in Wallachian culture meant 'devil'. He noted that the name was given to people who were conspicuous for their courage, cruelty, or cunning.

What is the significance of the name 'Dracula' in the context of the novel?

Stoker's choice of the name 'Dracula' for his vampire character is not linked to Vlad the Impaler but to the Wallachian meaning of the word 'devil'. It reflects the character's evil nature, as seen in Stoker’s notes about the name's association with cruel and cunning individuals.

Who was the real-life figure that may have inspired the character of Dracula, according to the script?

The real-life figure that may have inspired Dracula is *Artach*, an Irish tyrant. The legend surrounding Artach is said to resemble the vampire traits found in the novel, particularly his bloodlust and undead nature.

What is the connection between the Irish legend of Artach and the character of Dracula?

The Irish legend of Artach involves a bloodthirsty tyrant who is killed and buried multiple times, only to rise from the grave each time. This tale shares similarities with the vampire figure in Dracula, who is undead and requires a specific burial method to be truly vanquished.

How does the Irish tale of Artach relate to vampire mythology?

The tale of Artach includes elements common in vampire mythology, such as the tyrant rising from the grave and demanding blood. The villagers' method of defeating him by burying him upside down with a specific ritual parallels the lore around vampires and their destruction.

What evidence supports the idea that Stoker's Dracula is connected to Irish folklore rather than Transylvanian history?

Stoker’s original manuscript and notes suggest that Dracula was intended to be called 'Count Vampire'. Additionally, the vampire elements in the story align more closely with the Irish legend of Artach than with Vlad the Impaler's history. Stoker’s use of Irish Catholic symbols further strengthens this connection.

What is the significance of the character Lucy Westenra in relation to Irish folklore?

The character Lucy Westenra’s situation in the novel, especially her deathbed scene surrounded by male characters, mirrors a memorial sculpture in an Irish church dedicated to Mary Ann Westenra. This suggests an Irish influence in Stoker's work, specifically through the use of Irish symbols and connections to Irish families.

What social context might have influenced Stoker's portrayal of Dracula?

Stoker’s portrayal of Dracula can be seen as a commentary on the social conditions in late 19th-century Ireland, particularly the power imbalance between absentee English landlords and the Irish peasantry. The Catholic symbols used in the novel reflect the Irish nationalist sentiment during the Home Rule movement.