Werewolves

Werewolves are characterized as monsters according to Cohen’s “Seven Theses” and savages as stated in Wilson’s essay, “Civilized Vampires Versus Savage Werewolves”. Werewolves have shown a shift from being a scare to traditional cultural values to showing blatant sex appeal, embracing contemporary values. In The Wolf Man, Larry was cursed with the ability to transform into a werewolf because of his relationship with an engaged woman. In the Twilight Series, werewolves are openly embracing their sexuality rather than repressing it. Movies in the past have shown more death and destruction of werewolves as a result of continuously having to repress their sexual desires. They transform, only on nights of full moons, losing their humanity in the process. More modern films present a more confidently sexy werewolf. Their muscles are practically busting out of their shirts and their white smiles light up the room. Werewolves have soon a shift, along with our cultural values, from repressing their sexual will to openly expressing it. According to Cohen’s “Seven Theses,” “a monster is the incorporation of the Outside… distant and distinct place that originates within” (15). Werewolves demonstrate the duality of the human mind, “functioning as an alter ego, alluring the projection of an Other-ing self” (25). The split personality is known as lycanthropy, a disease or curse allowing the transformation from man to werewolf. Lycanthropy can either be inherited, like the werewolves in the Twilight Series, or one could be bitten by a werewolf. A werewolf is “born…as an embodiment of a certain feeling or time” (12), such as a time of anger or aggression, as well as, on the night of a full moon. In The Wolf Man (1941), Gwen explains to Larry that, “even a man who is pure at heart and says his prayers at night may become a wolf.” In the Twilight Series, Jacob is the noble friend and shoulder to lean on for Bella. Earlier werewolf movies have showcased mindless creatures that