Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Grew up… in a turbulent, uncertain time. Damon was born on June 28, 1839, in Mystic Falls, Virginia. As a child, he was extremely close with his younger brother, Stefan. The two lost their mother while they were young. And unfortunately, their father subsequently heavily favored Stefan over Damon, believing that Damon was irresponsible and disobedient.
Living… with never-ending anger. Damon came of age just as the Civil War began, and he was forced to enlist in the Confederate army. While on leave, he met a vampire named Katherine Pierce. Head over heels in love with her, Damon wanted Katherine to turn him so that the two could spend eternity together. Katherine was also seeing Stefan, and gave her blood to both of them so that they would become vampires. Infuriated that Katherine also turned Stefan, Damon promised his brother “an eternity of misery.”
Profession… none. Unlike Stefan who poses as a high school student, Damon is not one to deal with pretensions. More often than not, Damon can be found at the local diner, the Mystic Grill. He drinks there daily and observes the local population. When it strikes his fancy, Damon causes havoc in people’s life for his own personal pleasure.
Interests… love, revenge, dancing, leather jackets, and Bourbon.
Relationship Status… single. Damon has never gotten over Katherine. Even though she ultimately chose Stefan over him, he has spent his entire vampire life pining after her. She disappeared from both brothers’ lives years before, but unbeknownst to Stefan, Damon knows that Katherine is still trapped in the church the Founding Fathers of Mystic Falls entombed her in. Damon has returned to free her – so that they can finally spend eternity together.
Challenge… obtaining closure. Damon’s greatest challenge is forgiving his brother and letting go of Katherine. For almost two centuries, Damon has staunchly believed that Stefan’s actions inadvertently led to Katherine’s capture and subsequent imprisonment. His anger not only hurts others, but also himself. Damon is prone to self-destructive behavior – and if he cannot find it in himself to forgive others, he will end up alone for eternity. However, regardless of all the pain he causes Stefan, Damon loves his brother and actively protects him from harm.
Personality… arrogant, loyal, pragmatic, manipulative, cruel, and volatile. Damon always seems to have an ulterior motive. He completely disregards human life, and does not have any moral qualms about using those around him as living, breathing blood bags. He honestly says, "You know, I used to miss being human. Now I can't think of anything more miserable on earth."