How to win at chess

Of the almost countless villains and diabolical characters none can rank higher than Count Dracula. The reason is that the theme of his story is simple with underlying complexities much like a Mozart symphony, which appears elegant and calm to hear but within it is turbulent and profound.

Count Dracula stands as the of supreme achievement in the development of villains. This is because Count Dracula like no other character in all world literature transcends many levels artistically and Philosophically. In this article I will touch on a few.

Though Count Dracula lacks the psychologically penetrating character of Satin in Milton’s Paradise Lost, unlike the former Dracula is more congenial and more easily tangible. One can immediately see the image of Count Dracula in their mind when his name is mentioned that cannot be said for Satan.

When we think of Dracula we have to remember that he was or is a member of the landed aristocracy by which he bares the title Count. This is very interesting and makes for good villainy. For as the etymology (work history) of aristocracy from the Greek it means strong arm or best people. From the best we get the worst, a full range of human dynamic.

Why do we like Dracula? Because he like us wants to be immortal. However, coupled with his eternal desires are the wicked price that he makes others pay to gain his life, that is the death and destruction of others. Does this not sound like current events - dictators crushing the innocent to gain what they can of power and immortality.

However, what sets Dracula above the crowd is his mystique. Being a man of nobility he is groomed in the manners of the courts and know very well how to interact with people of the court and out side the court, this is unique to Dracula. He is eloquent, refined, polite, and deadly. Do not under estimate any move that he makes, for he is calculating and uncompromising which are hallmarks of true villainy.

A character more in line with Dracula’s villainy is Mephistopheles from Goethe’s Faust, a wonderful villain. What we have with Mephistopheles is the image of someone that we can identify with, however, the fact that he is almost a god is his downfall and removes him from the human plane.

A villain of note that should be mentioned here is Ming the Merciless from the films of Flash Gordon. Truly Ming stands out as one of the great villains of our time. He ranks second only to the count in my estimation. Taking a solid third place for outstanding villains is none other than Livia Drusilla, empress of Ancient Rome and a true figure of history. She had a knack for poisoning anyone, including her own children, which stood in here way. She is a very good study in villainy and well treated by Robert Graves.

It is interesting to note that Dracula has coffins in the basement of his castle and when he moves off of his land he is forced to take the land with him or he will parish. This is a crucial element in the character of Dracula. He needs to have weaknesses for us to identify with and over come. If he were invincible his credibility would be in question. People have to be believable or else you lose interest. When you have lost that the story is lost and the pages are just empty words. Good characters make the story come alive and Dracula does that with every step that he takes.

In closing I would like to touch upon the theme of redemption, which is ever so much the main theme hidden beneath the surface of this fascinating character. The church is the overriding theme in dealing with his final demise. The crucifix is a potent weapon that is used on Dracula continually, however, the real enemy is the sun, which is in reality a symbol for God. The theme of redemption through love calls itself out loud and clear as it closes the scene with its final benediction.