"The Masque of the Red Death", originally published as "The Mask of the Red Death: A Fantasy" (1842), is ashort storybyEdgar Allan Poe. The story follows Prince Prospero's attempts to avoid a dangerousplague, known as the Red Death, by hiding in hisabbey. He, along with many other wealthynobles, hosts amasquerade within seven rooms of the abbey, each decorated with a different color. In the midst of their revelry, a mysterious figure disguised as a Red Death victim enters and makes his way through each of the rooms. Prospero dies after confronting this stranger, whose "costume" proves to contain nothing tangible inside it; the guests also die in turn. The story follows many traditions ofGothic fictionand is often analyzed as anallegoryabout the inevitability of death, though some critics advise against an allegorical reading. Many different interpretations have been presented, as well as attempts to identify the true nature of the titular disease.
Instructions
Download the play(s) and/or read it online. You will be tested about the plot of the story and will be asked to write a summary about it.
You may also watch the movie below. However, you will still be required to read the book as there will be material in the book that is lost in the movie