Edgar Allan Poe The Masque of the Red Death Prospero knows of the death in his village, he uses his wealth to lock himself away from it, he uses it as a self-defense against the illness that is spreading and stays in his castle. When Prospero thinks it is safe he throws a party, so show off, to be arrogant that he has not gotten sick, and to show everyone that is beneath him. As the night goes on he has an uninvited guest appear, the guest goes from room to room and finally Prospero catches him in the black and red room and confronts him and when he does, he dies. When everyone else confronts him, they realize there is no one under the mask, and they die. I think Poe is saying humans no matter how rich or poor can never cheat death. I also