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Miniatures Adventure => Call of Cthulhu => Topic started by: Cacique Caribe on January 10, 2020, 04:17:20 AM

Title: Lovecraft The First To Popularize The Idea Of “Demons” As Simply Aliens?
Post by: Cacique Caribe on January 10, 2020, 04:17:20 AM

I’m an absolute newbie when it comes to Lovecraft, and am trying hard to understand many aspects, particularly the gaming appeal.  So I have a couple of very basic questions to ask:

1) So ... was H.P. Lovecraft the very first author to popularize the idea that “demons” (godlike powerful psychic non-human entities that are hostile to mankind) are nothing but ancient extraterrestrial/offworld species with great powers?

2) And does that re-interpretation of “demonic” entities ever affect how you play your Lovecraftian games?

Thanks

Dan

Title: Re: Lovecraft The First To Popularize The Idea Of “Demons” As Simply Aliens?
Post by: carlos marighela on January 10, 2020, 07:39:49 AM

No, it’s been a long standing tradition in both your country and this one. Seems to have peaked in recent times under our respective governments.

Title: Re: Lovecraft The First To Popularize The Idea Of “Demons” As Simply Aliens?
Post by: Cacique Caribe on January 10, 2020, 08:20:35 AM

Quote from: carlos marighela on January 10, 2020, 07:39:49 AM

No, it’s been a long standing tradition in both your country and this one.

So which popular authors predate Lovecraft in that practice then?

Dan

Title: Re: Lovecraft The First To Popularize The Idea Of “Demons” As Simply Aliens?
Post by: dadlamassu on January 12, 2020, 09:24:57 PM

There is a book "Lovecraft and Influence:His Predecessors and Successors" Edited by Robert H. Waugh that may answer your question(s).  There are probably others.

http://www.hplovecraft.com/study/litcrit/lihps.aspx (http://www.hplovecraft.com/study/litcrit/lihps.aspx)

Title: Re: Lovecraft The First To Popularize The Idea Of “Demons” As Simply Aliens?
Post by: Blackwolf on January 12, 2020, 10:13:09 PM

Have a look at Arthur Machen,in particular The Great God Pan,and the Novel of the Black Seal,also Lord Dunsany's stories,both influenced Lovecraft,oh and Algeron Blackwood.

Title: Re: Lovecraft The First To Popularize The Idea Of “Demons” As Simply Aliens?
Post by: Cacique Caribe on January 14, 2020, 12:36:50 AM

Excellent leads guys.  Looks like I have a lot of reading to do.

Thanks so much.

Dan

Title: Re: Lovecraft The First To Popularize The Idea Of “Demons” As Simply Aliens?
Post by: kmfrye on January 15, 2020, 01:01:51 AM

Dan, I would suggest you find Lovecraft's essay "Supernatural Horror in Fiction" and he will tell you in his own words who his influences were.

Regards,
Keith F.

Title: Re: Lovecraft The First To Popularize The Idea Of “Demons” As Simply Aliens?
Post by: Cacique Caribe on January 15, 2020, 06:21:48 AM

Thanks Keith.  I’ll look it up.

Dan

Title: Re: Lovecraft The First To Popularize The Idea Of “Demons” As Simply Aliens?
Post by: Ultravanillasmurf on January 23, 2020, 08:10:28 PM

Quote from: kmfrye on January 15, 2020, 01:01:51 AM

Dan, I would suggest you find Lovecraft's essay "Supernatural Horror in Fiction" and he will tell you in his own words who his influences were.

Regards,
Keith F.

http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/essays/shil.aspx (http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/essays/shil.aspx)

Title: Re: Lovecraft The First To Popularize The Idea Of “Demons” As Simply Aliens?
Post by: Cacique Caribe on January 24, 2020, 05:45:33 AM

Perfect.  Thanks!

Dan