"The Vampyre" and "Giving Up the Ghost"

"The Vampyre"

While reading “The Vampyre” I picked up on some interesting facts 

that I did not previously know. For instance,that in Greece it 

was considered a punishment to condemn one to becoming a vampire 

and feeding on his loved ones. “In many parts of Greece it is 

considered as a sort of punishment after death, for some heinous 

crime committed whilst in existence, that the deceased is not

only doomed to vampyrise, but compelled to confine his infernal

visitations solely to those beings he loved most while upon 

earth--those to whom he was bound by ties of kindred and 

affection.”  It seems a terrible fate, and it makes me question 

briefly why so many people are infatuated with becoming immortal 

and are obsessed with the vampire. Living forever seems like a 

terrible thing when you have to drink the blood of those that you

 love. Aren’t you more of a monster than a man at that point? Of 

course I also have to question myself because I have also been 

swept up in the mysticism of vampirism. 

The second tale was far more engaging and I found myself 

fascinated with both Aubrey and Lord Ruthven. I also was a bit 

shocked to see that Aubrey turned against Ruthven, that he had 

such strength to do so as Ruthven was such a charismatic and 

engaging character. “Aubrey retired; and, immediately writing a 

note, to say, that from that moment he must decline accompanying

his Lordship in the remainder of their proposed tour, ho ordered 

his servant to seek other apartments, and calling upon tho mother 

of the lady, informed her of all he knew,not only with regard to 

her daughter, but also concerning the character of his Lordship. 

The assignation was prevented. Lord Ruthven next day merely sent 

his servant to notify his complete assent to a separation; but did

not hint any suspicion of his plans having been foiled by Aubrey's

interposition.” 

The description in this story, particularly around the characters 

is very detailed. “Under the same roof as himself, existed a being,

so beautiful and delicate, that she might have formed the model 

for a painter, wishing; to pourtray on canvass the promised hope 

of the faithful in Mahomet's paradise, save that her eyes spoke 

too much mind for any one to think she could belong to those who

had no souls. As she danced upon the plain, or tripped along the 

mountain's side, one would have thought the gazelle a poor type of

her beauties; for who would have exchanged her eye, apparently the

eye of animated nature, for that sleepy luxurious look of the 

animal suited but to the taste of an epicure. The light step of 

Ianthe often accompanied Aubrey in his search after antiquities, 

and often would the unconscious girl,engaged in the pursuit of a 

Kashmere butterfly, show the whole beauty of her form, floating as

it were upon the wind, to the eager gaze of him, who forgot the 

letters he had just decyphered upon an almost effaced tablet, in 

the contemplation of her sylph-like figure. Often would her

tresses falling, as she flitted around, exhibit in the sun's ray 

such delicately brilliant and swiftly fading hues, its might well 

excuse the forgetfulness of the antiquary, who let escape from his

mind the very object he had before thought of vital” As an 

audience, we can easily picture in our minds what these characters

look like. 

The ending was a little dramatic, though I thought it was very 

clever to have Lord Ruthven the vampire drain Aubrey in a 

different manner than one might expect. No blood was drawn from 

the man but rather a constant battle raged on in his mind as Lord 

Ruthven’s image plagued him and drained him of life. 

“Giving up the Ghost” was also interesting as it added a little 

more detail to the story “The Vampyre” Although I have to admit at

times I was still a bit confused upon hearing all the names and 

trying to keep them all together. 

Overall, both stories were interesting but I think "The Vampyre" was a little more engaging and it made me think more than "Giving Up the Ghost"