Symbolism In The Masque Of The Red Death

Everyone’s life begins with birth and ends with death. It’s the nature rule that no one could offense it. From ancient to modern times, there always somebody want to escape from death, but no one success. Death could also bring fear to people. One of the characters created by Edgar Allen Poe, Prince Prospero took some measures to avoid death, because of the fear of death. Edgar Allen Poe uses symbolism in “The Masque of the Red Death” to illustrate that death is inevitable and undefeated. There are 7 different rooms with 7 different colors in the castle represent 7 different times throughout everyone’s life. “That at the eastern extremity was hung, for example, in blue --and vividly blue were its windows. The second chamber was purple
Prospero has the meaning of prosperity, it represents good luck and happiness. Poe uses Prospero as an irony name in the novel. Prospero created a irregular world of his own favorite with other revelers, they wanted to separate the Red Death from the high wall and iron gate. When people feel the time is taking over their lives, they will feel the existence of death. Poe creates Prospero more like the role of God. Prospero created rooms of his flavor, invited revelers who he deems worthy of life, and also he wanted to decide the time and way of death to himself and revelers. His name did not bring him prosperity. All revelers and himself died in the last black room that he designed. Red Death in the story symbolizes death. “"Who dares?" he demanded hoarsely of the courtiers who stood near him --"who dares insult us with this blasphemous mockery? Seize him and unmask him --that we may know whom we have to hang at sunrise, from the battlements!"(Poe 3) It was the physical being of Red Death or Reaper, but Prospero thought it was a masquerader who want to commit the offense by dressing like that. He was too arrogant that he really thought they can avoid death. The physical being could let Prospero and revelers realize and admit death
He built wall around his castle and invited wealthy friends to his castle. He tried to avoid death and ignored his residents’ lives. At last he paid for his foolish decision. He thought his wealth could fight with the nature, but he was wrong. The Red Death seems fair to everyone. Prospero trapped himself and revelers in the castle, the Red Death got into the castle and took all their lives just like residents in Prospero’s country. Red Death killed everyone whether poor or rich. Nobody could avoid death and fight against the nature, no matter how rich or strong he is. They will be treated equally by death or the