The Masque of the Red Death Group

Question:

dmdegroat
dmdegroat
Student
College - Freshman

In The Masque of the Red Death, what are some of the characteristics that make Prince Prospero an anti-hero?

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Posted by dmdegroat on Wednesday February 20, 2008 at 10:15 AM and tagged with antihero, edgar allen poe, masque of the red death, prince prospero, the masque of the red death.

Answers:


  1. clane Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Best answer as selected by question asker.

    Prince Prospero is a good example of the anti-hero because he is so careless with his life and the lives of his guests. He believes that the Red Death will not reach him because he is rich and sealed away in his castle. He does not stop to think that no one escapes the clutches of death. He doesn't even notice with the Red Death arrives as a guest at his party. His cavalier attitude about it ends up being what kills him and every single merry guest at his party. The typical hero would have found a way to save the day, but Prince Prospero is the exact opposite.

    Note: an anti-hero is a protagonist who lacks the traditional heroic qualities and instead possesses qualities that are antithetical in nature to heroism.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/masqueofthereddeath

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    Posted by clane on Wednesday February 20, 2008 at 10:25 AM