H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937), an American horror writer and poet, is known for creating the cosmic horror genre. Lovecraft was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and his stories often draw on themes of New England folklore. His works have inspired numerous authors, filmmakers, and artists, and his mythology has become a part of popular culture.
Lovecraft’s imagination was rooted in his deep knowledge and fascination with ancient mythology, science, and literature. He wrote stories that featured creatures from the depths of time and space, as well as ancient gods and demons. Lovecraft’s writing has been praised for its vivid descriptions, suspenseful pacing, and imaginative creatures and settings.
Lovecraft’s writing has had a lasting influence on modern horror and science fiction. His works have inspired other writers, filmmakers, and artists. He is most famous for his Cthulhu Mythos, a shared universe of creatures, gods, and locations that has become a part of popular culture.
Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos is an expansive shared universe that includes a wide variety of creatures, gods, and locations. The Mythos includes creatures such as Cthulhu, Shoggoths, the Deep Ones, the Great Old Ones, Elder Things, the Nightgaunts, the Mi-Go, the Flying Polyps, and the Star-Spawn of Cthulhu. These creatures are often portrayed as malevolent forces that threaten humanity. The protagonists of Lovecraft’s stories are often ordinary people who are driven to madness by their encounters with these creatures.
Creatures of Myth and Folklore
Lovecraft drew inspiration from a variety of sources for his monsters, including creatures from mythology and folklore. Cthulhu, for example, is based on the mythical creature Cthulhu from the works of the horror writer Clark Ashton Smith. Shoggoths, the Deep Ones, and the Great Old Ones are based on creatures from the works of Lord Dunsany. The Elder Things and the Nightgaunts are based on creatures from the works of Algernon Blackwood. The Mi-Go, the Flying Polyps, and the Star-Spawn of Cthulhu are all based on creatures from Lovecraft’s own imagination.
Animals
Lovecraft also drew inspiration from real-world animals for some of his monsters. Cthulhu, for example, is based on a giant squid, while the Shoggoths are based on jellyfish. The Deep Ones are based on frogs, the Great Old Ones are based on octopuses, and the Elder Things are based on worms. The Nightgaunts are based on bats, the Mi-Go are based on moths, the Flying Polyps are based on insects, and the Star-Spawn of Cthulhu are based on crustaceans.
People
Lovecraft also drew inspiration from people for some of his monsters. Cthulhu, for example, is based on a humanlike figure, while the Shoggoths are based on humans with tentacle-like appendages. The Deep Ones are based on fish-like humanoids, the Great Old Ones are based on humanoid figures with wings, and the Elder Things are based on humanoids with tentacles. The Nightgaunts are based on humanoid figures with wings, the Mi-Go are based on humanoid figures with insect-like heads, the Flying Polyps are based on winged humanoids, and the Star-Spawn of Cthulhu are based on humanoid figures with tentacles.
H.P. Lovecraft’s monsters are some of the most iconic creatures in horror and science fiction. Lovecraft drew inspiration from a variety of sources for his monsters, including creatures from mythology and folklore, animals, and people. His writing has had a lasting influence on modern horror and science fiction, and his monsters are still popular today.
Lovecraft’s monsters and their real-life inspirations have become a part of popular culture, and his influence on literary monsters today is undeniable. His works continue to inspire authors, filmmakers, and artists, and his monsters continue to haunt our nightmares.
References:
Lovecraft, H.P. (1937). The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories. S.T. Joshi (Ed.). Frogmore, St Albans: Panther.
Lovecraft, H.P. (1936). At the Mountains of Madness and Other Novels. S.T. Joshi (Ed.). New York: Penguin.
Smith, C. A. (1927). The Return of the Sorcerer: The Best of Clark Ashton Smith. S.T. Joshi (Ed.). Sauk City, WI: Arkham House.
Dunsany, L. (1918). The Gods of Pegana. S.T. Joshi (Ed.). Sauk City, WI: Arkham House.
Blackwood, A. (1913). The Willows. S.T. Joshi (Ed.). Sauk City, WI: Arkham House.
Other Frequently asked questions
What sources of inspiration did H.P. Lovecraft draw from?
H.P. Lovecraft tapped into the rich history of his beloved New England and beyond to craft stories of ancient standing stones, secret cities, and unassuming houses oozing with inexplicable evil.
What inspired H.P. Lovecraft?
H.P. Lovecraft was inspired by a variety of sources, including his own dreams and nightmares, classic literature, mythology, and his New England upbringing.
What creature is Cthulhu based on?
Lovecraft depicted it as a majestic entity revered by cultists, in the form of a green octopus, dragon, and a blend of human form.
| Cthulhu | |
|---|---|
| Illustration of Cthulhu drawn by Lovecraft (11 May 1934) | |
| First appearance | “The Call of Cthulhu” (1928) |
| Created by | H. P. Lovecraft |
| In-universe information | |
What is cosmicism, the basis of Lovecraftian fiction?
Cosmicism is an exciting concept that is the basis of Lovecraftian fiction! It suggests that humanity is a small part of a vast and ancient universe, and that we could be wiped away at any moment. This serves as both Lovecraft’s personal philosophy and the main theme of his stories.
