Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/literature/1611898-the-masque-of-the-red-death-by-poe
https://studentshare.org/literature/1611898-the-masque-of-the-red-death-by-poe.
No: The Masque of the Red Death by Poe It was in the blue room where stood the prince, with a group of pale courtiers by his side. All the people present in the palace were somewhat disturbed and stressed because of the epidemic spread everywhere in the country and wanted to secure themselves due to which, they have united with the Prince. In their minds, they are sure nobody can escape death as it is inevitable. It was the reason that made their faces pale after seeing the masked person. The masked person stood as a threat for the courtiers.
He held a dagger and wore a long black cloak. In addition, he put on a mask that was quite terrifying and petrifying. To answer the question asked by Prince Prospero, the masked person answered in even a louder voice, “Nobody asks me such questions as I have the power to do what is right. How can all of you be safe from the curse of disease when everyone out there is grabbed by it. You have to face the reality of death. See me and know this that death can reach everywhere.” His voice was so overpowering and scary that Prince Prospero started to tremble.
All his courage appeared to be vanished because of the stranger’s answer. All the courtiers along with the Prince settled in a group in order to gain refuge from the stranger. They thought it to be a sign of death. Initially, all of them thought that the masked person is someone amongst them but now, they thought it to be some supernatural being because of its appearance and speech. They thought it to be Red Death. They were ready to accept death as they see no other way except agreeing to their fate like the other people outside the palace.
Seeing the faces of the courtiers, the masked stranger lifted his dagger and laughed at a high pitch. All the dwellers of the palace were double minded at his laughter; they were frightened still and flabbergasted. He continued to laugh about the cowardice and concealment of people of the palace. He said, “You blocked all the ways to the palace entrance but here I am, a common man just to let you know that there is no concealment at all. When I, a normal person can enter your blocked palace, why no God’s call for death.
Anyone can die anywhere because death can reach everywhere. Prince Prospero, you are not immortal. You have wealth, class and property but you are a human being like others.” He continued to laugh and opened the back window and started to climb down. The people of the palace were so still and did not dare to move from their places. Prince Prospero who was nearly dead because of the appearance of the stranger got out of his faintness and ordered the guards to get hold of the stranger but he was so swift that nobody could catch him.
Prince Prospero thought that the stranger was a call from God to make him realize that nobody can escape because of encasements and camouflages. If Red Death was there out of the palace, it can reach inside the palace as well. Works Cited Poe, Edger. The Masque of The Red Death.
Read More