From vampires to Voldemort, Sorbet delves into the twisted histories of the literary monsters that lurk in the pages, and under the bed…
There’s a point in everyone’s childhood where you become utterly convinced — to the point of sleepless terror — that something is in your bedroom.
Whether it’s Snow White or Stephen King, we’re exposed to increasingly explicit nightmare
fuel from an early age. Over the centuries, humans have developed the objectively odd habit of penning the most horrifying monsters possible, for no purpose other than rationalizing our deepest
fears (and freaking out the audience in the process).
TOIL AND TROUBLE – 1100s B.C.
Since ancient times, women’s isolation has often led to their portrayal as powerful and monstrous. Greek mythology introduced witches like Hecate and Circe, while Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” depicted witches as manipulators. Although modern portrayals have softened (thanks, Hermione!), “witch” still carries a negative connotation.
THE GHOSTS OF LITERATURE PAST – 600s B.C.
Ghosts in literature, from Roman moral lessons to Gothic horrors, reflect cultural anxieties about death. The 1700s saw the rise of Gothic novels like “The Castle of Otranto,” leading to terrifying spirits in works like “The Woman in Black” and “The Shining.”
BAD MOON RISING – 1700s B.C.
Werewolf myths trace back to “The Epic of Gilgamesh” and were possibly inspired by serial killers. Guy Endore’s “The Werewolf of Paris” solidified the link between madness and the moon, a concept dating to Roman times.
FINDING THE LOST BOYS – 1800s
Vampires, linked to a 1700s “vampire craze,” were sexualized in early literature. Stoker’s “Dracula” made vampires magnetic yet repulsive, a trope still seen in teen fiction.
MAN OR MONSTER? – 1800s
Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” (1818) reflected fears of unchecked scientific progress. Frankenstein’s monster highlighted the dangers of human ambition.
MAGICAL IMMORTALS – 1900-2000s
Fantasy villains like Voldemort and Sauron seek immortal power through dark magic. Their lust for domination, driven by fear of death, makes them terrifying.
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