People have had a canny you might say, for all things unknown since the beginning of time. We’ve also had story telling since the beginning of our human existence on this earth. Historians and archeologists have found in cave paintings and hieroglyphics, depictions of stories that early humans created. Of course, since then, storytelling has come a long way, branching out to different forms of medium and different styles, all sprouting from human creativity. Although there aren’t many resources dating back to the very first horror tale, one very notable work of ghost tales dates back to:
In the first century A.D., the great Roman author and statesman Pliny the Younger recorded one of the first notable ghost stories in his letters, which became famous for their vivid account of life during the heyday of the Roman Empire. Pliny reported that the specter of an old man with a long beard, rattling chains, was haunting his house in Athens. The Greek writer Lucian and Pliny's fellow Roman Plautus also wrote memorable ghost stories.
Centuries later, in 856 A.D., the first poltergeist--a ghost that causes physical disturbances such as loud noises or objects falling or being thrown around--was reported at a farmhouse in Germany. The poltergeist tormented the family living there by throwing stones and starting fires, among other things (“History of Ghost Stories” History.com).
In modern times though, a novel that is considered by many to be the one of the most notable works in horror is Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Her story depicts the tale of a scientist dream to play God, thus giving life to his frightening creature. Some of the most influential writers of this genre are H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe, Stephen King, and M.R. James. Horror stories can have a very gothic appeal to its writing, creating a dark, twisted, and almost strangely romantic feel to the horrifying story being depicted. Just like horror stories have been around for many centuries, there are many examples of horror in film. There is a debate as to which piece of work is the very first horror film; the two noticeable works are The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots (1895) and Le Manoir du Diable (1896). The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots was actually produced by Thomas Edison and directed by Alfred Clark, is a film only 18 seconds in length, depicting the beheading of Mary Stuart. Not only is it the first horror film, it is the first time that special effects are used. The unaccredited actress is seen laying her head on the execution board, then quickly the screen is cut to replace the actress with a mannequin ready for the beheading. The executioner is then seen rising up the head towards the audience. The other film also considered to be the first horror film is Le Manoir du Diable. Written by Georges Melies, it is a three minute long film about a man that transforms from bat to “human” who uses his powers to summon ghosts and demons to haunt two men.
In the first century A.D., the great Roman author and statesman Pliny the Younger recorded one of the first notable ghost stories in his letters, which became famous for their vivid account of life during the heyday of the Roman Empire. Pliny reported that the specter of an old man with a long beard, rattling chains, was haunting his house in Athens. The Greek writer Lucian and Pliny's fellow Roman Plautus also wrote memorable ghost stories.
Centuries later, in 856 A.D., the first poltergeist--a ghost that causes physical disturbances such as loud noises or objects falling or being thrown around--was reported at a farmhouse in Germany. The poltergeist tormented the family living there by throwing stones and starting fires, among other things (“History of Ghost Stories” History.com).
In modern times though, a novel that is considered by many to be the one of the most notable works in horror is Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Her story depicts the tale of a scientist dream to play God, thus giving life to his frightening creature. Some of the most influential writers of this genre are H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe, Stephen King, and M.R. James. Horror stories can have a very gothic appeal to its writing, creating a dark, twisted, and almost strangely romantic feel to the horrifying story being depicted. Just like horror stories have been around for many centuries, there are many examples of horror in film. There is a debate as to which piece of work is the very first horror film; the two noticeable works are The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots (1895) and Le Manoir du Diable (1896). The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots was actually produced by Thomas Edison and directed by Alfred Clark, is a film only 18 seconds in length, depicting the beheading of Mary Stuart. Not only is it the first horror film, it is the first time that special effects are used. The unaccredited actress is seen laying her head on the execution board, then quickly the screen is cut to replace the actress with a mannequin ready for the beheading. The executioner is then seen rising up the head towards the audience. The other film also considered to be the first horror film is Le Manoir du Diable. Written by Georges Melies, it is a three minute long film about a man that transforms from bat to “human” who uses his powers to summon ghosts and demons to haunt two men.