The Castlevania video game series, along with other media adaptations, presents an unusual revision of the Dracula myth by merging traditional vampire lore with modernism. Dracula evolves from a classic gothic villain into a complex tragic figure, shaped by grief, revenge, and existential despair. This paper explores how Castlevania redefines the Dracula myth through symbolic representations and narrative development, examining how the series retains and transforms traditional vampire characteristics. The second section delves deeper into this evolution. The analysis follows three theoretical frameworks: a) the evolution of the gothic archetype, with Castlevania adding psychological depth beyond Bram Stoker's original portrayal; b) emotions-as-frames as a narrative tool, where anger, grief, and redemption shape Dracula's transformation and highlight the struggle between good and evil; and c) religion and mythology, through the lens of phenomenology, with Mircea Eliade's insights on how Castlevania uses sacred symbols like crosses and holy water to represent the tension between the sacred and the profane. Key titles in the series develop significant themes and symbols related to Dracula and vampirism. These representations merge classic myths (the tragic hero, the cursed immortal) with modern archetypes (the anti-hero, the misunderstood monster), allowing the series to address cultural fears and desires. Through these symbolic constructions, Castlevania rewrites the Dracula myth, embedding it in collective imagination and culture, resonating with contemporary audiences.

Authors:
Claudia Horeanu, University of Bucharest, Romania

About the Presenter(s)
Claudia-Nicoleta Horeanu is currently a PhD student at Doctoral School of Communication Sciences (University of Bucharest)

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiahoreanu/

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