Symbolism In The Masque Of The Red Death

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Recommended: Explain how poe uses allegorical symbols to develop the theme of death in the masque of the red death

The fear of death is evident in “The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allen Poe. The Red Death is a disease that is spreading like wildfire. Prince Prospero attempted to block the disease. The prince then held a masquerade party for him and the wealthy. Meanwhile, throughout Poe’s life People that he adored passed away of coincidentally the same exact disease (Tuberculosis). In “Masquerade Of The Red Death”, death (also red death) is constantly portrayed. Examples to prove such things are the seven rooms, trying to trap the disease out of the castle and the ebony clock. The seven rooms portray the stages of life. Death symbolizes the last room which concludes to death becomes your only choice and it’s inescapable. When trying to keep the illness …show more content…

Prince Prospero hosts a masquerade for him and his wealthy companions in celebration of surviving the red death, Therefore, in the story when Prince Prospero tried using his wealth to save himself by trying to lock out the illness and letting peasants suffer. The disease might have been kept away from the wealthy for a while. Eventually, it had reached them.Which proves the point that death is inescapable. Though the outside world had been suffering from the Red Deaths plague, those in the castle had been unknowingly careless, “The external world could take care of itself. In the meantime, it was folly to grieve or to think. The Prince had provided all the appliances of pleasure. There were buffoons, there were improvisatori, there were ballet-dancers, there were musicians, there was Beauty, there was wine.” (2). Poe makes it very obvious and evident in this piece of evidence that Prince Prospero really does not care for the people, but for himself. This shows Prince Prospero acts like death was far from sight and away from his path. However, Prince Prospero, being very self-centered. The reason why this was shocking that he acts like as if death isn’t going to get to him is that he’s like this in the midst of a wildfire like spreading disease. In conclusion, he soon finds out that it’s not true and immortality isn’t something possible to achieve. Which then explains how Poe makes it evident that death being inevitable is the theme of “The Masque of the Red Death”.Without a doubt, the fear of death has been evident due to its use of its constant portrayal and for sure Poe makes it evident that death being inevitable is the theme of “The Masque of the Red

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