“The Masque of the Red Death” Written by Edgar Allan Poe

Who was Edgar Allan Poe? Born January 19, 1809, Boston, Massachusetts After being kicked out of West Point, Poe started writing full time. In 1835 Poe worked as a literary critic. He quickly gained a reputation for being aggressive and cut throat. He left in 1837. Poe married his younger cousin Virginia in 1836. In 1845 Poe published the poem "The Raven." It is considered one of Poe’s best works and among the most popular American literary works of all time.

Following the death of Virginia in 1847, Poe’s health suffered and he struggled financially. On October 3 Poe was found distraught and in poor condition. He was taken to a hospital and died on October 7, 1849. Poe’s last words were “Lord, help my poor soul.”

Poe’s death has been widely speculated about for years Poe’s death has been widely speculated about for years. Some say it was due to alcoholism while others mention rabies, epilepsy, and carbon monoxide poisoning. While Poe did not achieve financial success during his lifetime, today he is widely considered one of the best American authors of all time.

About “The Masque of the Red Death” The short story was first published in Graham’s Magazine in 1842. Poe earned 12 dollars from its publication. The story follows many Gothic fiction traditions especially the castle setting. The Red Death is a fictitious disease although it was likely inspired by tuberculosis. His wife was suffering from it at the time he wrote the story. Some believe, however, that it may represent cholera or even the Bubonic Plague.

Theme Remember! Theme is the main idea, underlying message, or lesson. Death is inescapable Although Prince Prospero tries to escape the Red Death by hiding away in his castle with his subjects, the Red Death comes and kills him along with every body else.

Setting The story takes place in Prince Prospero’s castle. The “masque” takes place in the main suite which consisted of seven rooms. Each of the seven rooms is a different color. The final room is black with red windows. The Prince and his subjects are killed in the seventh room.

Characters There are only two characters who are named in the story- Prince Prospero and the Red Death. Prince Prospero What word can you discern from the Prince’s name? Prosperity! The Prince ‘s name suggests happiness. He attempts to ward off death by hiding in his castle but he cannot escape death.

Irony Situational Irony- when what is expected to happen is different than what actually happens. What is ironic in “The Masque of the Red Death”? The Prince and his subjects try to escape death by hiding away in the castle. When the Red Death comes inside everyone is trapped and killed. We expect them to survive because they are secluded. But being trapped in the castle is what actually contributes to their death.

Symbolism The Red Death symbolizes the inevitability of death. Even though they attempt to avoid it by staying in the castle, the Red Death makes its way into the castle anyway. The Castle symbolizes the attempt to avoid death. By being walled up in the castle, the Prince and his subjects believe they are safe from the Red Death.

More symbolism The Ebony Clock symbolizes both death and the passage of time. When the party guests hear the clock they stop dancing and an uneasy feeling comes across the entire party. Prince Prospero symbolizes wealth and happiness. When the Prince throws the masquerade he attempts to forget about the death and destruction that is ravaging his country

The Seven Rooms There are two possible explanations for the meaning behind the seven rooms in the short story. We are going to look briefly at both possibilities.

Seven Deadly Sins Pride is excessive belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It has been called the sin from which all others arise. Pride is also known as Vanity. Envy is the desire for others' traits, status, abilities, or situation. Gluttony is an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires Lust is an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body. Anger is manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury. It is also known as Wrath. Greed is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual. It is also called Avarice or Covetousness. Sloth is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work.

Seven Deadly Sins What are some examples of the seven deadly sins in “The Masque of the Red Death”? Write them down on your paper. Then we will share.

Shakespeare’s As You Like It Look at the excerpt from As You Like It. What are the seven stages of life according to Shakespeare? Write them down on your paper. Some readers and critics believe that the seven rooms represent these stages of life with the final black room representing death.