Carlisle Cullen

Dr. Carlisle Cullen is a fictional character in the books Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer.

Personal History

Carlisle Cullen was the son of an Anglican pastor, born in 1640s London, England during a time of religious upheaval. Carlisle's father and other pastors led hunts for anti-christian werewolves, witches, and vampires, saying that they were attempting to rid the world of evil and sin, but many a time, these groups would end up killing innocent citizens, mistaking them for actual vampires, werewolves, etc. As his father aged, Carlisle was put in charge of the raids for these creatures. He was less at ease about killing and more logical and patient in making accusations than his father was, but, due to this, was intelligent enough to find a real coven of vampires inhabiting the sewers of London. Carlisle led the hunt for these vampires and in the chaos that ensued he was attacked and left bleeding in the street by a vampire. Knowing that he would not be welcomed back home and would be most likely killed, Carlisle hid himself in a potato cellar, managing to stay silent for the entire three-day duration of his incredibly painful transformation, and emerged afterwards as a vampire.

Carlisle was repelled and horrified by what he had become, and tried various ways of killing himself, including starvation, drowning, and jumping off cliffs. None worked due to the immense strength and power a newborn vampire possesses. Eventually he was so desperate for blood that while he was hiding in a cave in a forest he attacked and fed on a herd of passing deer. He found that he could survive off animal blood and he considered this much more humane than drinking the blood of humans. Carlisle found new life in this fact and for over two centuries was able to perfect his ability to resist the blood lust caused by the scent of human blood. During these two centuries Carlisle studied books at night, using his knowledge at daytime, and was known as a "nighttime patron of the arts". As a result of his meticulous studying, Carlisle was able to become a brilliant doctor. In this new career, Carlisle found the means to atone for his previous sins by saving human lives instead of taking them.

Carlisle was studying in Italy when he stumbled across a coven of ancient vampires called the Volturi that included three vampires named Aro, Marcus, and Caius. They were much more educated and refined vampires than those living in the sewers of London, but still drank human blood. Even though they attempted to convert Carlisle back to his natural food source and he, in turn, tried to convince them to turn to animal blood instead of human blood, both failed to convince the other. Carlisle then moved on to the New World where he ended up working night shifts in Chicago during the Spanish Influenza epidemic. During this epidemic, Carlisle encountered a dying mother named Elizabeth Masen. Her son, Edward, was dying of the Influenza as well. Elizabeth begged Carlisle to do anything within his power to save her son, as she lay dying. Carlisle later suspected that her request was born both from a desire to save her son's life and from the suspicion that Carlisle had means of helping Edward that no one else possessed. Out of loneliness, and with the knowledge that Edward was alone in the world, he changed him into a vampire and Edward became his companion. Soon after, in 1921, Carlisle moved to Wisconsin where he treated Esme, after a failed suicide attempt brought on by the loss of her child. Carlisle felt compelled to save her life and turned her, consequently falling in love with her, and marrying her later on.

Carlisle then turned Rosalie Hale, a young woman who was almost killed by her drunken fiancé and his friends, who raped her and left her in the street to die. Later, while hunting, Rosalie found a young man named Emmett who had been mauled by a bear. She carried him over 100 miles to Carlisle. Carlisle then changed Emmett, since Rosalie was unwilling to do it herself for fear of accidentally draining him, who later became Rosalie's lover/mate. After Carlisle changed Emmett, Alice and Jasper joined his coven as well, having found Carlisle on their own. Alice and Jasper also became lovers.

Much later, Carlisle and his family moved to Forks, Washington where they made a treaty with the Quileute Indian tribe, that the Quileutes would leave the Cullens alone if the Cullens did not bite any humans or trespass on their land. The Cullens agreed to this treaty, and lived in relative peace. At the start of Twilight the Cullens live in Forks, Washington and have lived there for two years. Carlisle presently works at the hospital in Forks as their chief doctor. With his riches that he had accumulated as a successful doctor for over two centuries, he bought a black Mercedes S55 AMG.

Romantic relationships

Esme Cullen

Esme is the mother figure of the family, since she is physically the oldest at 26. Esme is Carlisle's wife and true love. Carlisle changed her when she was dying from a suicide attempt, after the loss of her child soon after birth. It upsets her sometimes that she can no longer conceive children. She and Carlisle act almost as Bella's second parents, and will soon become her vampire parents-in-law.

Appearance

Carlisle is described to look like a model, the picture of beauty. He has blond hair, is six foot two inches, and was 23 when he was turned. Carlisle has remained 23 since that day, and looks accordingly. He was described looking like a movie star, and Charlie (Bella's father) said that many nurses could not concentrate on their work while he was around. But as soon as Carlisle was settled and married to Esme, Charlie said that these admirations were quickly hushed in the hospital. Carlisle is slender but muscular.

Vampire Abilities

As a result of Carlisle being a vampire, he has many enhanced abilities, such as running at high speeds, incredible strength, and incredible compassion. Carlisle came up with his own theory as to why certain vampires such as Edward, Alice, and Jasper have enhanced abilities: he believes that all people who become vampires bring something from their previous, human life into their new, vampire existence. What he brought into his next life was his compassion. Carlisle is also immortal, and has had centuries to perfect his medicinal talents, therefore making him an excellent doctor. Unlike most vampires, he is not at all tempted by the scent of human blood, due to the over 300 years he has spent holding back his temptations. He also uses the scent of blood to help him in the workplace, often using his "curse" to his advantage.

Movie Portrayal

On February 12, 2008 it was announced that Peter Facinelli would be portraying Carlisle in the movie.

External links

• "Official website of Stephenie Meyer"
• "Twilight Lexicon"
• Twilight Series, the books' official website