Vampires provided a perfect mirror of the worst fears of the pious and perfect. Vampires were dangerous, sexually rampant, enormously powerful, absolutely unconcerned about human dignity and preservation of the soul, and finally…dead. And it was this last aspect of their nature that made them the most fascinating to legend-makers. -Dunn Mascetti, Manuela. Vampires: The Complete Guide to the World of the Undead
So we’ve established that vampires are bloodsucking, undead creatures. Not only are they immensely powerful and fast, they exhibit extraordinary attractive physical traits (from pale skin to beyond beautiful eyes) as well. As if all these traits combined weren’t enough, most portrayals of vampires show them with a pair of sharp, seething fangs. One thing I haven’t brought to the table of discussion is a vampire’s strengths and weaknesses. What extra “powers” does a vamp have to further their lethality? What are the loopholes in the vampire’s strengths; can you kill something that’s already dead?
Vampires are immortal beings; upon completing the transformation required to become vampire, one will discover the ability to live forever young. There are, however, a few aspects that can halt a vampire’s immortality sooner than expected. For example, in typical representations of vampires, the sunlight is a big no-no. In Interview with the Vampire, Louis’ daughter for all intensive purposes is assassinated in an open chamber by mere sunlight alone.
Claudia, a vampire from Interview with the Vampire, is literally turned to ash and soot by the sun's rays.
In Twilight, however, the sun doesn’t have a such a detrimental impact on the vampires. It exists solely as something that can reveal their identity because instead of bursting into flames, they sparkle as if they have millions of diamonds embedded in their pores. On the other hand, True Blood shares the negative view of the sun. The biggest contrast between Interview and True Blood is the fact that the sun instantly kills Claudia, while Bill Compton regenerates from his run-in with the sun. This is why vamps in these stories either sleep in sealed coffins or underground during the day to prevent all interaction with the sun.
Chargrilled vampire Bill.
Another weakness of the vampires in Anne Rice and HBO’s versions is a stake to the heart. The effect varies from one vamp to the next, but the outcome is the same: eternal rest. The vampires in Twilight only have one true weakness: other supernatural beings. Not many things can break the marble skin of Meyer’s vamps—only other vampire teeth or shape-shifter teeth.
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As a side note, here are some special powers specific vampires exhibit:
- Interview with the Vampire- Louis’ special attribute/curse: extreme humanity & compassion. ;Lestat: mindreading
- Twilight- Edward: telepathy, high running speed ; Alice: ability to see the future/current path a particular mind is on; Carlisle: extreme abstinence of thirst, working as a doctor; Bella: can create a shield with her mind; Jasper-ability to control the emotions of those he’s around.
- True Blood- the ability to glamour. (Glamouring is a type of hypnosis that allows the vampire that’s employing it to control the mind of his/her victim. They glamour to feed, to erase memory, and to protect themselves.)
