A British historian has left pop culture enthusiasts in stitches online after sharing why vampires are the ‘sexiest’ monsters.
Professor Ronald Hutton, folklore historian at the University of Bristol, explained how vampires ‘represent the dark, dangerous and exciting aspects of sex’ in his latest TikTok video.
Professor Hutton gained thousands of fans online within hours after revealing the ‘mystery behind the (vampire) seduction’.
There have been countless depictions of vampires in the media over the past century, from the family-friendly Count von Count on Sesame Street to the 1922 silent film character Nosferatu.
However, most modern images are coveted by audiences for their sexy behavior, including Spike from Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Twilight’s Edward Cullen and Eric Northman from the TV series True Blood.
Vampires are considered the ‘sexiest’ monsters. Modern vampire depictions, including Eric Northman from the TV series True Blood (left) and Twilight’s Edward Cullen (right), are coveted by fans
The history professor said one of the main interests in his studies is modern and traditional folklore, including monsters and vampires called “the only sexy monster.”
“Almost no one wants to sleep with a zombie, a ghoul, a mummy or a werewolf, but vampires are different,” he explained.
‘They represent the dark, dangerous and exciting aspects of sex and this is because of how they came into the Western world.’
Professor Hutton said the fable of the vampire emerged from the Eastern European ‘idea of a blood-sucking corpse’, which was then mixed with various ‘Gothic figures’ of the 19th century.
‘That is the licentious aristocrat, woman or man, who is outside the corrosive society and so from the start the Western vampire turns into a sleek, beautiful looking sexy, well-educated, well-bred aristocrat.’
Historian of Folklore at the University of Bristol, Professor Ronald Hutton, explained in his latest TikTok video how vampires ‘represent the dark, dangerous and exciting aspects of sex’
Most modern images are coveted by audiences for their sexy attitude, including Spike (pictured) from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Twilight’s Edward Cullen and Eric Northman from the TV series True Blood
Ian Somerhalder (left) as Damon Salvatore, Nina Dobrev (center) as Elena Gilbert and Paul Wesley (right) as Stefan Salvatore in the hit TV show The Vampire Diaries
The historian added that vampires have the added appeal of being “rebels.”
“Modernity prizes people who overthrow a respectable society, who show us new aspects of ourselves, and boy, do vampires do that,” he said.
“As a result, they are well established in the modern popular mind as the sexy monster par excellence.”
Hutton shared his creepy yet sexy knowledge in a TikTok video and while many were quick to agree that vampires were the ‘hottest’ mythical creature, others were more enchanted by the professor’s ‘soothing’ voice and intellect.
‘I could listen to this man talk about folklore all day!! Someone needs to put it on a podcast ASAP!’ said a woman.
“I want to learn whatever he teaches,” said another, while another said Professor Hutton would be the ultimate dinner party guest.
“Please…go on. I want to hear you talk about vampires more,” one viewer swooned.
Others, however, have poked holes in the historian’s theory, pointing out that werewolves are another creepy creature regularly depicted as sexy – most notably Taylor Lautner’s dog character Jacob in the Twilight series.
“Hey, speak for yourself, I love werewolves,” said one viewer.
“I agree with you, but a lot of people want werewolves,” a second agreed.
“I (unfortunately) know more people than I would like that a werewolf could sleep in,” laughed another.
‘Vampires aren’t the only sexy monster. Witches are sexy, and werewolves are sexy too,” someone added.