Even though Netflix’s new series is trending worldwide, the first mentions of The Sandman in literature weren’t made until 1816.
If you’re a reader of Neil Gaiman’s work, you know he’s among the best authors for creating unique and exciting fictional worlds and histories.
One of Gaiman’s most popular series, The Sandman, was adapted into a live-action film by Netflix and premiered on August 5th.
With millions of people glued to The Sandman worldwide, not everyone may be aware that the mythical figure has a long history in European mythology and folklore, stretching back to 1816 and German Gothic terror.
When it comes to the new Netflix series, who exactly is the Sandman?
Netflix has just launched its 10-episode live-action adaptation of The Sandman series by Neil Gaiman, and if you haven’t watched the show yet. Here is a basic description of who this character is.
The Sandman, often known as Lord Morpheus or just “Dream,” is all-powerful. All-knowing monarch of the dream and nightmare realms, played by Tom Sturridge. He is one of seven Endless creatures, manifestations of immense abilities including Destiny, Death, Desire, Despair, Delirium, and Destruction. Each rules its respective domains.
He uses his helmet, his leather bag of magical sand, and the ruby he calls the Dreamstone to sustain and increase his power. While the new Netflix series is genuinely impressive, author Neil Gaiman didn’t come up with the notion of The Sandman as he has been a character in European folklore and mythology for ages – see below.
The History of the Sandman dates back to 1816.
The Sandman is a well-known creature from European folklore and mythology. Who puts people to sleep by sprinkling magic sand in their eyes while encouraging them to have beautiful dreams?
The first written mention of the character known as “The Sandman” was in a short story titled “Der Sandmann” by German author E. T. A. Hoffman in 1816.
In the story, The Sandman is renowned as a legendary creature that steals the eyeballs of children who refuse to go to bed so that he can feed them to his children that reside on the moon.
German Romantic novelist of fantasy and Gothic horror, an expert in contemporary law, composer, music critic, and artist. Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann (1776–1822).
Interestingly, you may know Hoffmann from his most renowned novella. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King would be the foundation for Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet, The Nutcracker.
The mythology of The Sandman would subsequently be strengthened. A few decades later, in 1841, Hans Christian Andersen released his folk tale Ole Lukøje.
The Sandman, using his magic sand, lulls children to sleep, depending on their behavior. Either shows them pleasant dreams or terrifying nightmares.
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THE SANDMAN IN POPULAR CULTURE
The Sandman has featured innumerable pieces of popular culture, from music and literature to television and comics.
A Dutch musical called De sprookjesmusical Klaas Vaak involves the figure. Who goes under the name Klaas Vaak in the Netherlands, Belgium, ad South Africa?
There was also a stop-motion series about the series in East Germany called Unser Sandmännchen. A Canadian show named Nilus the Sandman and a French show called Bonne Nuit Les petits.
The Sandman has appeared in both Marvel Mystery Comics and DC Comics. The latter features Neil Gaiman’s classic comic book series, which Netflix recently adapted into a live-action film.
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