The Masque of the Red Death Questions

The Masque of the Red Death questions

1. Can you relate to Prince Prospero, or to anyone in this story? Are there any genuine characters?

2. Is Prince Prospero a tragic hero, or a fool? What is his primary flaw? Does he have one?

3. What is the relationship between art and death in "The Masque of the Red Death"?

4. Is Prince Prospero Poe? Is Poe Prince Prospero? If "The Masque of the Red Death" is a dream, whose dream is it?

5. Is "The Masque of the Red Death" apocalyptic? Does it present a challenge to traditional ideas of the end of the world, or is it a fairly traditional vision itself?

6. Why might "The Masque of the Red Death" be called a twisted version of Shakespeare's //The Tempest//? What similarities are there? What differences? Do they share a common message?

7. Is fear Poe's intended effect in "The Masque of the Red Death"? Or does he have another one?

8. Is "The Masque of the Red Death" scary?