Death and immortality in "Dracula's Diary": readings through "Corpus Hermeticum"

The knowledge existent at present, which generates the need for a new approach to myth of Dracula, refers an almost unanimous reception based on novel published in 1897 by Bram Stoker and tens subsequent portrayals have induced social cultural paradigm standardized as commercial kitsch. Within this fictitious construct Dracula has been expounded manifold keys. However, ordinary perception, his figure is reduced semi-caricatural vampire character, living-dead craving blood. This article aims answer series questions about representations their relevance fields literary studies: Which “real” Dracula? are psychological, cultural, historical impulses determining actions character established myth? To what extent deeds personage can be accounted through instrumentality psychological impetus agency philosophical, esoteric, occult principles? Thus integrated into ampler context culture civilization, where alienation monstrosity belong less “the other”, stranger” refer more revealing some “our” intimately repressed human features? proposes critical examination reinterpretation Dracula’s image, starting from Jurnalul lui (Dracula’s Diary) (1992) Romanian writer academic Marin Mincu. Original responses being suggested defined previously – several writing theory techniques, including references Corpus Hermeticum. By comparing contrasting hermetic philosophical text novel, essay finding out whether entire explained two aspects, namely death immortality. It also offers reading, another conceptualization familiar but debatable subject, reinterprets even rejects mainstream view. work extremely well-informed academic, was first Italy, nothing common with Stoker’s (“vampiric falsification”, asserts author preface…), vividly portrays Prince Vlad Impaler, imprisoned underground cave castle under Budapest Danube, journal between February, 2nd, 1463 August, 28th, 1464. In diary recalls fate legendary destiny aspects civilization considered European context. For instance, study approaches topics such as: religion Zalmoxis existential foundation Romanians; Dacians’ attitude towards death, described Herodotus, might influenced Pythagoras, Socrates, Eleusinian Orphic Mysteries; boycott history people (an echo philosopher Lucian Blaga’s writings); orality (as opposed written western Europe); oral folkloric creations, ballad Miorița (The Little Ewe) fairy-tale Tinerețe fără bătrânețe și viață de moarte (Youth without old age life death), etc. All these put forward within humanistic, Renaissance epoch, given that friend Marsilio Ficino, Nicolaus Cusanus, Pope Pius II, Cosimo de’ Medici, Researchers will discover speculative themes directions regard seemingly exhausted Dracula.