The Masque of the Red Death (Poe): Difference between revisions

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Created page with "{{written by AI}} {{Summary | Title = The Masque of the Red Death | Author = Edgar Allan Poe | Genre = short story | Year of publication = 1842 | Microsummary = A deadly plague ravaged a country, causing immense suffering and death. A wealthy ruler attempted to escape the disease by isolating in a castle with friends, but the plague infiltrated their sanctuary, killing all. | Wikisource = The Masque of the Red Death }} {{Start of text}} The Red Death was a deadly plagu..."
 
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| Title = The Masque of the Red Death
| Title = The Masque of the Red Death
| Author = Edgar Allan Poe
| Author = Edgar Allan Poe
| Genre = short story
| Literary form = short story
| Year of publication = 1842
| Year of publication = 1842
| Microsummary = A deadly plague ravaged a country, causing immense suffering and death. A wealthy ruler attempted to escape the disease by isolating in a castle with friends, but the plague infiltrated their sanctuary, killing all.
| Microsummary = A prince and his courtiers tried to escape a deadly plague by hiding in a secluded abbey, but the plague, personified as a masked figure, infiltrated their masquerade ball, killing everyone present.
| Wikisource = The Masque of the Red Death
}}
}}


{{Start of text}}
{{Start of text}}
The Red Death was a deadly plague that had long devastated a country, causing immense suffering and death. The disease was characterized by sharp pains, dizziness, and profuse bleeding from the pores, with the entire progression of the illness lasting only half an hour. The victims were marked by scarlet stains on their bodies, particularly on their faces, which isolated them from the aid and sympathy of others.


Prince Prospero, a wealthy and powerful ruler, decided to escape the Red Death by inviting a thousand of his friends to his secluded castle. He ensured that the castle was well-provisioned and sealed off from the outside world, believing that they could avoid the contagion. Inside the castle, the prince provided various forms of entertainment, including musicians, dancers, and games, to keep his guests occupied and their minds off the deadly plague outside.
The Red Death was a devastating and gruesome plague that swept through the country, causing sharp pains, dizziness, and profuse bleeding from the pores, ultimately leading to death within half an hour. Despite the widespread devastation, Prince Prospero remained happy and fearless.


{{Character
{{Character
| Name = Prince Prospero
| Name = Prince Prospero
| Description = a wealthy, powerful ruler; attempts to escape the Red Death by secluding himself and his friends in his castle; bold, eccentric, and fearless until confronted by the Red Death
| Description = ruler of a devastated country; happy, dauntless, and sagacious; hosted a masquerade ball in his secluded abbey
| Emoji = 🤴🏻
| Emoji = 👱🏻‍♂️
}}
}}


After several months of seclusion, Prince Prospero decided to hold a masquerade ball in his castle. The ball took place in a series of seven rooms, each decorated in a different color and illuminated by colored stained-glass windows. The final room, draped in black velvet and lit by blood-red windows, was particularly eerie and unsettling.
{{Quote
| Text = But the Prince Prospero was happy and dauntless and sagacious.
| Context = This quote introduces the main character, Prince Prospero, and his attitude towards the deadly plague that has devastated his country. It sets the stage for his decision to seclude himself and his courtiers in an attempt to escape the Red Death.
}}
 
He decided to gather a thousand of his healthy and lighthearted friends from his court and retreat to one of his secluded castles. They sealed themselves inside, believing they could escape the Red Death and enjoy a life of pleasure and entertainment.
 
After several months of seclusion, Prince Prospero hosted a magnificent masked ball for his guests. The ball took place in a suite of seven rooms, each decorated in a different color and illuminated by colored stained glass windows. The final room was draped in black velvet and had blood-red windows, creating a chilling atmosphere. In this room, there was also a large ebony clock that struck a haunting chime every hour, causing the revelers to pause and reflect on their mortality.


During the ball, a mysterious figure appeared, dressed in the garb of the Red Death and causing fear and anger among the guests.
As midnight approached, the guests noticed a mysterious figure dressed in a blood-stained shroud and wearing a mask resembling a corpse.


{{Character
{{Character
| Name = The Red Death
| Name = The Red Death
| Description = a deadly, horrifying plague that devastates the country; personified as a masked figure at the masquerade ball; represents the inevitability of death and the futility of trying to escape it
| Description = personification of the deadly plague; appeared as a masked figure in blood-stained grave-clothes
| Emoji = ☠️
| Emoji = 👻
}}
}}


Prince Prospero, enraged by the intrusion and the mockery of their situation, demanded that the figure be unmasked and punished. However, as the prince and his guests attempted to confront the figure, they found that it was not a person at all, but the Red Death itself.
The figure's appearance caused great alarm and disgust among the partygoers. Prince Prospero, enraged by the intrusion, demanded the unmasking of the figure and threatened to hang the offender at sunrise.


There was a sharp cry — and the dagger dropped gleaming upon the sable carpet, upon which instantly afterwards, fell prostrate in death the Prince Prospero.
The figure moved silently through the rooms, with Prince Prospero in pursuit. When the figure reached the black velvet room, it turned to confront the prince, who fell dead on the spot. The guests, now overcome with terror, seized the figure only to discover that there was no tangible form beneath the shroud and mask.


{{Quote|
{{Quote
There was a sharp cry — and the dagger dropped gleaming upon the sable carpet, upon which instantly afterwards, fell prostrate in death the Prince Prospero.
| Text = And now was acknowledged the presence of the Red Death.
| Context = This quote occurs after the mysterious masked figure has been unmasked, revealing that it is not a person but the personification of the deadly plague. The realization dawns on the attendees that they cannot escape the Red Death, and their fate is sealed.
}}
}}


One by one, the guests succumbed to the disease, dying in the very castle they had hoped would protect them. The Red Death had infiltrated their sanctuary, proving that no one could escape its grasp. In the end, darkness and decay took over the castle, and the Red Death held dominion over all.
The Red Death had infiltrated the castle, and one by one, the guests succumbed to the deadly plague. The castle was left in darkness and decay, with the Red Death reigning supreme over all.


{{Quote|
And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all.
}}


{{End of text}}
{{End of text}}

Latest revision as of 12:06, 30 May 2023

Disclaimer: This summary was generated by AI, so it may contain errors.
Edgar Allan Poe
The Masque of the Red Death
1842
Summary of the Short Story
Microsummary: A prince and his courtiers tried to escape a deadly plague by hiding in a secluded abbey, but the plague, personified as a masked figure, infiltrated their masquerade ball, killing everyone present.

The Red Death was a devastating and gruesome plague that swept through the country, causing sharp pains, dizziness, and profuse bleeding from the pores, ultimately leading to death within half an hour. Despite the widespread devastation, Prince Prospero remained happy and fearless.

👱🏻‍♂️
Prince Prospero — ruler of a devastated country; happy, dauntless, and sagacious; hosted a masquerade ball in his secluded abbey.

But the Prince Prospero was happy and dauntless and sagacious.

He decided to gather a thousand of his healthy and lighthearted friends from his court and retreat to one of his secluded castles. They sealed themselves inside, believing they could escape the Red Death and enjoy a life of pleasure and entertainment.

After several months of seclusion, Prince Prospero hosted a magnificent masked ball for his guests. The ball took place in a suite of seven rooms, each decorated in a different color and illuminated by colored stained glass windows. The final room was draped in black velvet and had blood-red windows, creating a chilling atmosphere. In this room, there was also a large ebony clock that struck a haunting chime every hour, causing the revelers to pause and reflect on their mortality.

As midnight approached, the guests noticed a mysterious figure dressed in a blood-stained shroud and wearing a mask resembling a corpse.

👻
The Red Death — personification of the deadly plague; appeared as a masked figure in blood-stained grave-clothes.

The figure's appearance caused great alarm and disgust among the partygoers. Prince Prospero, enraged by the intrusion, demanded the unmasking of the figure and threatened to hang the offender at sunrise.

The figure moved silently through the rooms, with Prince Prospero in pursuit. When the figure reached the black velvet room, it turned to confront the prince, who fell dead on the spot. The guests, now overcome with terror, seized the figure only to discover that there was no tangible form beneath the shroud and mask.

And now was acknowledged the presence of the Red Death.

The Red Death had infiltrated the castle, and one by one, the guests succumbed to the deadly plague. The castle was left in darkness and decay, with the Red Death reigning supreme over all.


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