Introduction for ‘The Masque of the Red Death’, by E. A. Poe
An introductory commentary upon
The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe
Not only did his orphanhood, but also his struggle through life led the author to write such stories regarding existence: Was born, lived and passed away lamentably.
When reading this story, the idea of retaliation comes into mind, not only in the traditional sense of ‘revenge’, but closer to the classic Greek style of hubris, i. e., the gods-coming punishment for pride. Apparently settled in the Italian Renaissance, the account traces how Prince Prospero and his opulent guests seal themselves off from the rest of the world in an attempt to protect themselves from an impending doom. But, can they elude the menace of the ‘Red Death’?
The story is widely regarded as an allegory about the inevitability of death. Nevertheless, it is objected by many whether Edgar Allan Poe intended to indoctrinate his readers. What it is evident, is the close connection between Shakespeare’s The Tempest and this story. Both are based on the idea of isolation to escape an otherwise unavoidable fate, and there is also the coincidence of the main character’s name –Prospero.
Another point that appears to be conveyed in Poe’s tale, is that the indifferent wealthy suffer the destiny they deserve.
The aesthetics of the story possesses all the elements of Gothic: A surrounded castle by an unseen enemy, a luxurious world amidst the cataclysm, and also the boasting of having The Death himself tricked.
Prospero’s seven rooms, each decorated in a different colour, seem to represent the seven decades of life. The first one is located in the eastern side of the corridor, a direction which has been associated with the Sun rising and therefore, with the beginning of life. The seventh room, decorated in black, and blood red, is located on the far west of the corridor, in the direction of death and of the setting Sun. The clock, intentionally placed in the room of death, tolls every hour, reminding the masqueraders not only of death, but
also of the ephemeral passing of time.
However, do not deceive yourselves: Precisely, the clock of death is something that never ever can be mocked.
Group working in ‘The Masque of Red Death’, by E. A. Poe.
English C1 – L10A
