Themes: Art as an Escape from Reality
In this sense, Prospero is a reflection of William Shakespeare’s character of the same name in The Tempest (1611), similarly an aesthetic magician who creates an alternate world of imaginative reality not susceptible to the contingencies of external reality. Indeed, Poe’s emphasis in “The Masque of the Red Death” is that the abbey within which Prospero retreats is his own “creation,” a result of his “own eccentric yet august taste”—phrases that echo Poe’s own aesthetic theory—a Platonic notion that celebrates the ideal of the artwork as a self-sustained experience of absolute and immutable beauty. In effect, Prospero creates the image of a self-contained artwork within which he tries to live.
Expert Q&A
In Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death," what are Prince Prospero's intentions for isolating himself in the castle and barring the doors, aside from physical safety?
Why is the prince drawn to the excessive luxury and constant merriment?
The prince is drawn to excessive luxury and constant merriment as they are intrinsic to his royal lifestyle, likely established from a young age. Additionally, these elements serve as distractions from the devastating disease affecting his lands. The luxury helps persuade friends to join him, while the merriment, including music and entertainment, prevents them from feeling trapped and anxious in the abbey, offering a means of escapism from their grim reality.
Compare life and mood inside and outside the abbey in "The Masque of the Red Death."
Life inside the abbey is described as lavish and carefree, with Prince Prospero and his guests indulging in constant revelry, seemingly oblivious to the chaos outside. In stark contrast, the world outside is engulfed in fear and death due to the Red Death plague, creating a mood of despair and hopelessness.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
