The Masque Of The Red Death By Edgar Allan Poe Summary "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe is a haunting and allegorical short story that delves into themes of mortality, the inevitability of death, and the futile attempts to escape its grasp. Set in a fictional land during a time of plague known as the Red Death, the story follows the wealthy and eccentric Prince Prospero as he attempts to shield himself and his privileged friends from the horrors of the epidemic. The tale begins with a vivid description of the devastating Red Death, which brings swift and agonizing death to its victims. The plague is marked by its gruesome symptoms and its rapid spread, leaving no escape for those it afflicts. The opening lines immediately set a grim and somber tone, foreshadowing the dark events to come. In response to the epidemic, Prince Prospero retreats to his abbey, a fortified and luxurious fortress of opulence and extravagance. Here, he gathers a thousand of his weal