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A '''ghoul''' is a [[monster]] from ancient [[Arabian]] [[folklore]] that dwells in graveyards and other uninhabited places. The [[English language|English]] word comes from the Arabic name for the creature: الغول ''ghūl'', which literally means "demon".  The ''ghul'' is a devilish type of [[jinn]] believed to be sired by [[Iblis]].
[[Image:Ghoul.jpg|thumb|A classic ghoul]]


''Ghoul'' is also the name for a [[desert]]-dwelling, [[shapeshifter|shapeshifting]] [[demon]] that can assume the guise of an animal, especially a [[hyena|hyena]]. It lures unwary travellers into the desert wastes to slay and devour them. The creature also preys on young children, robs [[grave]]s, and eats the dead. Because of the latter habit, the word ''ghoul'' is sometimes used to refer to an ordinary human such as a [[grave robber]], or to anyone who delights in the [[macabre]]. The term has also been used to describe cannibals such as [[Jeffrey Dahmer]].  
A '''ghoul''' is a monster from ancient Arabian folklore that dwells in graveyards and other uninhabited places. The ''ghul'' is a devilish type of jinn believed to be sired by [[Iblis]].
 
Its female form is given as ''ghouleh''  in Muhawi and Kanaana.
 
 
 
==Description==
 
''Ghoul'' is also the name for a desert-dwelling, [[Therianthropy|shapeshifting]] [[demon]] that can assume the guise of an animal, especially a hyena. It lures unwary travelers into the desert wastes to slay and devour them.  
The creature also preys on young children, robs graves, and eats the dead. Because of the latter habit, the word ''ghoul'' is sometimes used to refer to an ordinary human such as a grave robbers, or to anyone who enjoys the macabre.  
The term has also been used to describe cannibals such as [[Jeffrey Dahmer]].
 
The star Algol takes its name from this creature, as stated from Jim Kaler, Prof. Emeritus of Astronomy at the University of Illinois.
 
 
===Etymology===
 
The English term comes from the Arabic name for the creature, which literally means [[demon]].


The star [[Algol]] takes its name from this creature.


==Ghouls in fiction==
==Ghouls in fiction==


In modern fiction, ghouls are often confused with other types of [[undead]], usually the mindless varieties of [[vampires]] and [[zombies]]. Although modern fiction (post-1954), particularly 1954's ''[[I Am Legend]]'', suggests that the latter beings share cannibalistic habits with ghouls, it is nonetheless generally believed that vampires and zombies prefer live prey.
In modern fiction, ghouls are often confused with other types of [[undead]], usually the mindless varieties of [[Vampire]]s and [[Zombie]]s.
 
Although modern fiction, particularly 1954's ''I Am Legend'', by author Richard Matheson, , suggests that the latter beings share cannibalistic habits with ghouls, it is nonetheless generally believed that vampires and zombies prefer to prey upon human beings.
 
 


===Literature===
===Literature===


[[Bram Stoker]]'s [[1897]] novel ''[[Dracula]]'' features a ghoulish character named [[Renfield]]. Under the vampire's influence, Renfield becomes his willing slave and develops a craving to eat living creatures in the hope of obtaining their life-force for himself. After being confined to an asylum, he considers eating a human hospital orderly, but finds he can only capture and consume flies, spiders, and the occasional bird.
Bram Stoker's novel [[Dracula]] features a ghoulish character named Renfield. Under the vampire's influence, Renfield becomes his willing slave and develops a craving to eat living creatures in the hope of obtaining their life-force for himself. After being confined to an asylum, he considers eating a human hospital orderly, but finds he can only capture and consume flies, spiders, and the occasional bird.


In the fiction of [[H. P. Lovecraft]], a ghoul is a member of a nocturnal, subterranean race. Some ghouls were once human, but a diet of human corpses, and perhaps the tutelage of proper ghouls, mutated them into horrific, bestial humanoids. In the [[short story]] "[[Pickman's Model]]" ([[1927 in literature|1927]]), the first of Lovecraft's ghoul stories, they are unutterably terrible monsters;  however, in his earlier [[novella]] ''[[The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath]]'' ([[1926 in literature|1926]]), the ghouls are somewhat less disturbing, even comical at times, and both helpful and loyal to the protagonist. [[Cthulhu Mythos biographies#Pickman, Richard Upton|Richard Upton Pickman]], a noteworthy [[Boston]] painter who disappeared mysteriously in "Pickman's Model", appears as a ghoul himself in ''Dream-Quest''. Similar themes appear in "The Lurking Fear" ([[1922 in literature|1922]]) and "The Rats in the Walls" ([[1924 in literature|1924]]), both of which posit the existence of subterranean clans of degenerate, retrogressive cannibals or carrion-eating humans.
In the fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, a ghoul is a member of a nocturnal, subterranean race.
Some ghouls were once human, but a diet of human corpses, and perhaps the tutelage of proper ghouls, mutated them into horrific, bestial humanoids. In the short story ''Pickman's Model'', the first of Lovecraft's ghoul stories, they are unutterably terrible monsters;  however, in his earlier novella ''The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath'' (1926), the ghouls are somewhat less disturbing, even comical at times, and both helpful and loyal to the protagonist.  
Similar themes appear in ''The Lurking Fear'' (1922) and ''The Rats in the Walls''(1924), both of which posit the existence of subterranean clans of degenerate, retrogressive cannibals or carrion-eating humans.


In [[1987]], [[Brian McNaughton]] wrote a series of [[dark fantasy]] short stories in which these Lovecraftian ghouls are the [[protagonist]]s.  The stories, collectively published as ''[[Throne of Bones]]'', were a critical success and the book went on to receive a [[World Fantasy Award for Best Collection]].
In 1987, Brian McNaughton wrote a series of dark fantasy short stories in which these Lovecraftian ghouls are the protagonists.  The stories, collectively published as ''Throne of Bones'', were a critical success and the book went on to receive a ''World Fantasy Award for Best Collection''.


In [[Larry Niven]]'s [[Ringworld]] series, the ghouls are a race that eats the dead of the other races that live on the ringworld.  They have a fairly sophisticated (for a post-apocalyptic people) culture, and are the only race with a communication system that traverses the entire ringworld: [[heliograph]]s.
In Larry Niven's Ringworld series, the ghouls are a race that eats the dead of the other races that live on the ringworld.  They have a fairly sophisticated (for a post-apocalyptic people) culture, and are the only race with a communication system that traverses the entire ringworld.


In [[J.K. Rowling]]'s [[Harry Potter]] series, ghouls are harmless creatures that live in the homes of [[wizard]]s, making loud noises and occasionally groaning.
In J.K. Rowling's [[Harry Potter]] series, ghouls are harmless creatures that live in the homes of wizards, making loud noises and occasionally groaning.


In ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]'', ghouls are creatures that serve the [[White Witch]]. They resemble corroded, old humans. In the 2005 movie and videogame, they resemble pale [[orcs]] carrying spears.
In ''The Chronicles of Narnia'', ghouls are creatures that serve the White Witch. They resemble corroded, old humans. In the 2005 movie and videogame, they resemble pale [[orcs]] carrying spears.


In [[Laurell K. Hamilton]]'s [[Anita Blake]] series, graveyards became infested with ghouls when the blessing of the graveyard was used up; this was usually caused when too many zombies were raised or voodoo rituals of evil nature were performed in the graveyard. Though they were once human, they are like pack animals, and they aren't very smart.  They will only attack if a person is vulnerable.  A ghoul will run from a healthy, strong human being.
In Laurell K. Hamilton's [[Anita Blake]] series, graveyards became infested with ghouls when the blessing of the graveyard was used up; this was usually caused when too many zombies were raised or voodoo rituals of evil nature were performed in the graveyard. Though they were once human, they are like pack animals, and they aren't very smart.  They will only attack if a person is vulnerable.  A ghoul will run from a healthy, strong human being.


In [[Max Brooks]]' "[[The Zombie Survival Guide]]: Complete Protection from the Undead" , zombies are frequently referred to as ghouls.
In Max Brooks' ''The Zombie Survival Guide'': Complete Protection from the Undead'' , zombies are frequently referred to as ghouls.
 
In Jim Butcher's ''The Dresden Files'', ghouls are much like they are in the classic mythologies. They are humanoid monsters that feed on human flesh, and seem to be able to disguise themselves as ordinary humans. These ghouls are intelligent, as opposed to being mindless and feral monsters.


In [[Jim Butcher]]'s [[The Dresden Files]], ghouls are much like they are in the classic mythologies. They are humanoid monsters that feed on human flesh, and seem to be able to disguise themselves as ordinary humans. These ghouls are intelligent, as opposed to being mindless and feral monsters.


===Movies and television===
===Movies and television===


Although many screenplays have featured ghouls, the first major motion picture of this theme was the [[1933]] British film entitled ''[[The Ghoul]]''. [[Boris Karloff]] plays a dying Egyptologist who possesses an occult gem, known as The Eternal Light, which he believes will grant immortality if he is buried with it, and thereby able to present it to Anubis in the afterlife. Of course, his bickering, covetous heirs and associates would rather keep the jewel for themselves. Karloff vows to rise from his grave and avenge himself against anyone who meddles with his plan, and he keeps this promise when one of his colleagues steals The Eternal Light after his death.
Although many screenplays have featured ghouls, the first major motion picture of this theme was the 1933 British film entitled ''The Ghoul''. Boris Karloff plays a dying Egyptologist who possesses an occult gem, known as The Eternal Light, which he believes will grant immortality if he is buried with it, and thereby able to present it to [[Anubis]] in the afterlife. Of course, his bickering, covetous heirs and associates would rather keep the jewel for themselves. Karloff vows to rise from his grave and avenge himself against anyone who meddles with his plan, and he keeps this promise when one of his colleagues steals The Eternal Light after his death.


In [[1968]], [[George A. Romero]]'s groundbreaking film ''[[Night of the Living Dead]]'' combined reanimated corpses (zombies) with cannabalistic monsters (ghouls), creating new film monsters more terrifying than either of their predecessors.
In 1968, George A. Romero's groundbreaking film ''Night of the Living Dead'' combined reanimated corpses (zombies) with cannibalistic monsters (ghouls), creating new film monsters more terrifying than either of their predecessors.


In the [[anime]] and [[manga]] series ''[[Hellsing]]'', ghouls are [[zombie]]-like creatures that are created when a "chipped" (technological) vampire drains a victim to death, or, in the Manga, where a vampire drains the blood of someone who is not a virgin. If fatally wounded, they instantly crumble to dust.
In the anime and manga series ''Hellsing'', ghouls are [[zombie]]-like creatures that are created when a technological vampire drains a victim to death, or, in the Manga, where a vampire drains the blood of someone who is not a virgin. If fatally wounded, they instantly crumble to dust.


"The Ghoul" is the stage name of [[Detroit]]-area horror television host [[Ron Sweed]].
''The Ghoul'' is the stage name of Detroit area horror television host Ron Sweed.


In the horror/comedy cartoon sires ''[[The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy]]'', a sailor boy turned to chocolate claimed that chocolate loving ghouls ate his arm.


==Ghouls in gaming==
Many games use the term "ghoul" to describe undead beings or other kinds of [[cannibal|cannibalistic]] and [[degeneracy|degenerate]] [[humanoids]].  Some notable examples follow.


===''Shadowrun''===
==References==


In the role-playing game [[Shadowrun]], ghouls are a [[mutant|mutation]] caused by a [[virus]] known as [[HMHVV]], specifically the Krieger [[strain (biology)|strain]]. While they are not undead, they do exhibit the same [[vampire|vampiric]] behavior. Ghouls must consume about one percent of their body weight in raw human flesh each week. They also have a mild allergy to sunlight that inhibits them slightly but does not harm them. Though they are physically blind, they are endowed with an enhanced sense of smell and hearing, and have an [[astral]] and physical dual-nature that allows them to perceive the astral plane. Ghouls are especially sensitive to the presence of foreign substances within their bodies, which makes it difficult to use [[cyberware|cybernetic implants]] on them. Their strength and body are greater than that of a normal human, but their intelligence and charisma scores suffer greatly. Finally, they are also completely immune to the [[VITAS]] [[Infectious disease|plague]].
*Guiley, Rosemary Ellen ''The Encyclopedia of Vampires, Werewolves, and Other Monsters'', Checkmarks Books, ISBN 0816046859


Some ghouls regress to a [[feral]] state after the change, while others retain their sanity.  Those who remain sane often undergo extreme [[plastic surgery]] to pass for human and usually replace their blind eyes with cybernetic implants to allow them to see.


===''Vampire: The Masquerade''===
==See also==


In the role-playing game ''[[Vampire: The Masquerade]]'', a [[ghoul (World of Darkness)|ghoul]] is a human that drinks the blood of a [[vampire]] and consequently gains an extended lifespan and supernatural powers as a result. Vampires often take ghouls as servants, since humans quickly become addicted to vampiric blood. Additionally, a ghoul loses its mental resistance against the donater's commands, creating a bond of loyalty and affection towards its new master.
*[[Cannibalism]]
*[[Jeffrey Dahmer]]
*[[Jinn]]
*[[Therianthropy]]
*[[Undead]]
*[[Vampire]]
*[[Zombie]]


===Other games===
==Links==


In the [[computer role-playing game]] series ''[[Fallout (computer game)|Fallout]]'', a ghoul is a human mutated by exposure to massive amounts of [[radiation]] and the fictive FEV virus. In the [[real-time strategy]] game ''[[Warcraft III]]'',, Ghouls are standard footsoldiers and lumber gatherers for the Undead armies.In Diablo II as a stronger zombie. In the [[tabletop wargame]] [[Warhammer]], Ghouls serve as skirmishers in the armies of the [[Vampire Counts]]. In the hybrid role playing/adventure [[computer game]] [[Quest for Glory II: Trial by Fire]], ghouls are presented as supernatural creatures of the [[undead]] which only come out at night and prey upon the living. The touch of a ghoul's claws has a chilling effect upon the victim similar to [[frostbite]]. If the ghoul is successfully defeated, its claws can be removed and sold to the local apothecary for use in the making of a poison cure pill.[[King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow]] has ghouls on the Realm of the Dead surface, who were the result of having their trauma unhealed for a long time (not being avenged, loved ones not cared for, etc.), and over time became what they became.  Brushing up against them is instant death--their touch eats at Alexander (the playable character) like acid.
{{wikipedia}}
*[http://webster.com/dictionary/ghoul Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary]
*[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9036705?query=Ghoul Encyclopædia Britannica]
*[http://www.astro.uiuc.edu/~kaler/sow/algol.html The Star Algol ]


==See also==
[[Category:Ghouls]]
*[[Halloween traditions]]
[[Category:Death]]

Latest revision as of 19:18, 18 April 2007

A classic ghoul

A ghoul is a monster from ancient Arabian folklore that dwells in graveyards and other uninhabited places. The ghul is a devilish type of jinn believed to be sired by Iblis.

Its female form is given as ghouleh in Muhawi and Kanaana.


Description

Ghoul is also the name for a desert-dwelling, shapeshifting demon that can assume the guise of an animal, especially a hyena. It lures unwary travelers into the desert wastes to slay and devour them. The creature also preys on young children, robs graves, and eats the dead. Because of the latter habit, the word ghoul is sometimes used to refer to an ordinary human such as a grave robbers, or to anyone who enjoys the macabre. The term has also been used to describe cannibals such as Jeffrey Dahmer.

The star Algol takes its name from this creature, as stated from Jim Kaler, Prof. Emeritus of Astronomy at the University of Illinois.


Etymology

The English term comes from the Arabic name for the creature, which literally means demon.


Ghouls in fiction

In modern fiction, ghouls are often confused with other types of undead, usually the mindless varieties of Vampires and Zombies.

Although modern fiction, particularly 1954's I Am Legend, by author Richard Matheson, , suggests that the latter beings share cannibalistic habits with ghouls, it is nonetheless generally believed that vampires and zombies prefer to prey upon human beings.


Literature

Bram Stoker's novel Dracula features a ghoulish character named Renfield. Under the vampire's influence, Renfield becomes his willing slave and develops a craving to eat living creatures in the hope of obtaining their life-force for himself. After being confined to an asylum, he considers eating a human hospital orderly, but finds he can only capture and consume flies, spiders, and the occasional bird.

In the fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, a ghoul is a member of a nocturnal, subterranean race. Some ghouls were once human, but a diet of human corpses, and perhaps the tutelage of proper ghouls, mutated them into horrific, bestial humanoids. In the short story Pickman's Model, the first of Lovecraft's ghoul stories, they are unutterably terrible monsters; however, in his earlier novella The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath (1926), the ghouls are somewhat less disturbing, even comical at times, and both helpful and loyal to the protagonist. Similar themes appear in The Lurking Fear (1922) and The Rats in the Walls(1924), both of which posit the existence of subterranean clans of degenerate, retrogressive cannibals or carrion-eating humans.

In 1987, Brian McNaughton wrote a series of dark fantasy short stories in which these Lovecraftian ghouls are the protagonists. The stories, collectively published as Throne of Bones, were a critical success and the book went on to receive a World Fantasy Award for Best Collection.

In Larry Niven's Ringworld series, the ghouls are a race that eats the dead of the other races that live on the ringworld. They have a fairly sophisticated (for a post-apocalyptic people) culture, and are the only race with a communication system that traverses the entire ringworld.

In J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, ghouls are harmless creatures that live in the homes of wizards, making loud noises and occasionally groaning.

In The Chronicles of Narnia, ghouls are creatures that serve the White Witch. They resemble corroded, old humans. In the 2005 movie and videogame, they resemble pale orcs carrying spears.

In Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series, graveyards became infested with ghouls when the blessing of the graveyard was used up; this was usually caused when too many zombies were raised or voodoo rituals of evil nature were performed in the graveyard. Though they were once human, they are like pack animals, and they aren't very smart. They will only attack if a person is vulnerable. A ghoul will run from a healthy, strong human being.

In Max Brooks' The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Undead , zombies are frequently referred to as ghouls.

In Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files, ghouls are much like they are in the classic mythologies. They are humanoid monsters that feed on human flesh, and seem to be able to disguise themselves as ordinary humans. These ghouls are intelligent, as opposed to being mindless and feral monsters.


Movies and television

Although many screenplays have featured ghouls, the first major motion picture of this theme was the 1933 British film entitled The Ghoul. Boris Karloff plays a dying Egyptologist who possesses an occult gem, known as The Eternal Light, which he believes will grant immortality if he is buried with it, and thereby able to present it to Anubis in the afterlife. Of course, his bickering, covetous heirs and associates would rather keep the jewel for themselves. Karloff vows to rise from his grave and avenge himself against anyone who meddles with his plan, and he keeps this promise when one of his colleagues steals The Eternal Light after his death.

In 1968, George A. Romero's groundbreaking film Night of the Living Dead combined reanimated corpses (zombies) with cannibalistic monsters (ghouls), creating new film monsters more terrifying than either of their predecessors.

In the anime and manga series Hellsing, ghouls are zombie-like creatures that are created when a technological vampire drains a victim to death, or, in the Manga, where a vampire drains the blood of someone who is not a virgin. If fatally wounded, they instantly crumble to dust.

The Ghoul is the stage name of Detroit area horror television host Ron Sweed.


References

  • Guiley, Rosemary Ellen The Encyclopedia of Vampires, Werewolves, and Other Monsters, Checkmarks Books, ISBN 0816046859


See also

Links

Part of this article consists of modified text from Wikipedia, and the article is therefore licensed under GFDL.