The Masque of the Red Death Death is a natural thing. It is not uncommon for people to take extreme measures to avoid death. In recent years there have even been famous people who have hired teams of doctors to try to ensure they don't die. Often, the extreme measures people take to avoid it ultimately turn into their downfall, and death always prevails. The Masque of the Red Death is a short story written by early American novelist Edgar Allan Poe. It features the story of a man named Prince Prospero during the time when a horrible plague has tainted his country. There are three main themes throughout the story. His madness during a time of despair causes his downfall, time continues to pass even with death, and death is inevitable, no matter how rich and powerful you may be, it is the themes presented in the story that lead to the loss of his life and the lives of his guests. Prince Prospero is supposed to have the health and prosperity of his kingdom as his number one priority. Isn't that the job of a prince? However, Prince Prospero is foolish and decides to organize a masquerade ball in the midst of a devastating plague. The Red Death was described as quickly fatal and horrific. The symptoms of the Red Death were sharp pains, profuse bleeding in the pores and dizziness on the body. This pushed Prince Prospero to exclude his peers. He chose 1000 of his closest friends to lock up with him in the castle while this terrible disease killed his country. "Blood was his Avatar and his seal: the redness and horror of blood." (1). Being so lethal, the Red Death had the potential to kill its victims in less than half an hour. Prince Prospero's arrogance towards the... middle of the card... will be your downfall, time continues even with death, and that death is inevitable. Poe does a great job weaving these three themes throughout the entire story. He entertains his readers with an interesting and suspenseful tale about Prince Prospero and his fellow guests trying to avoid the Red Death. Prince Prospero shows his madness by hosting a ball. The clock in the black room constantly reminded them that as the hours passed, people died outside the castle, but they still survived. The Red Death found the perfect moment to creep into Prince Prospero's palace, trapping him in his own cage. At the end of the story, readers realize that it doesn't matter what others do; Death will take us all in the end. No amount of money, amazing things or people will save you from your impending future.