Which of the following fictional characters is believed to be based on the 15th-century real-life character, Vlad the Impaler?

Correct option is C

Explanation:
Count Dracula is a fictional character created by Bram Stoker in his 1897 novel Dracula. The character is widely believed to have been inspired by Vlad the Impaler (Vlad III), a 15th-century ruler of Wallachia. Vlad was notorious for his brutal methods of punishing enemies, including impalement, which earned him his epithet. Though Stoker never explicitly confirmed this connection, the similarities in name and ruthless characteristics point toward Vlad as an inspiration for Dracula.

Information Booster:
Dracula is a Gothic horror novel that established the iconic vampire trope.
The novel explores themes of immortality, fear, and the clash between modernity and ancient superstitions.
Stoker researched Eastern European folklore and history to craft the character.
Vlad III's castle in Transylvania and his fearsome reputation heavily influenced the setting and persona of Count Dracula.
Vlad the Impaler's Historical Background:
Born in 1431, Vlad III ruled Wallachia three times.
He is celebrated as a hero in Romania for defending against Ottoman invasions, despite his cruel methods.
His life has been mythologized over the centuries, blending history with folklore.

Additional Knowledge:
Victor Frankenstein is the protagonist of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, unrelated to Vlad the Impaler.
Peter Quint is a character from Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw, a psychological ghost story.
Prince Manfred is a character in Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto, widely regarded as the first Gothic novel.