The Masque of the Red Death

Today we finished the short story "The Masque of the Red Death." The students are to complete the following questions for HW:

“The Masque of the Red Death”
Edgar Allan Poe
20pts


Answer all of the following in complete sentences.

Describe the Prince’s palace. How has he taken precautions against the plague?

What is the symbolism behind the prince’s name, Prospero?

At what time do the guests begin noticing the masked figure? Explain the significance and how this relates to “The Tell-Tale Heart.”

Describe the masked figure. What is Prospero’s first reaction?

How does Prospero die?

What was behind the mask?

Write a well-organized paragraph discussing the symbolic meaning of this story. What has Poe taken from his own life that could have inspired this story? What does the masked figure represent, and what is Poe trying to teach us with this story?

Students can review the 2 clips provided. They are readings of the story.