<P> Blood, emphasized throughout the tale, along with the color red, serves as a dual symbol, representing both death and life . This is emphasized by the masked figure--never explicitly stated to be the Red Death, but only a reveler in a costume of the Red Death--making his initial appearance in the easternmost room, which is colored blue, a color most often associated with birth . </P> <P> Though Prospero's castle is meant to keep the sickness out, it is ultimately an oppressive structure . Its maze - like design and tall and narrow windows become almost burlesque in the final black room, so oppressive that "there were few of the company bold enough to set foot within its precincts at all". Additionally, the castle is meant to be an enclosed space, yet the stranger is able to sneak inside, suggesting that control is an illusion . </P> <P> Like many of Poe's tales, "The Masque of the Red Death" has been interpreted autobiographically, by some . In this point of view, Prince Prospero is Poe as a wealthy young man, part of a distinguished family much like Poe's foster parents, the Allans . Under this interpretation, Poe is seeking refuge from the dangers of the outside world, and his portrayal of himself as the only person willing to confront the stranger is emblematic of Poe's rush towards inescapable dangers in his own life . Prince Prospero is also the name of a character in William Shakespeare's The Tempest . </P> <P> The disease called the Red Death is fictitious . Poe describes it as causing "sharp pains, and sudden dizziness, and then profuse bleeding at the pores" leading to death within half an hour . </P>

The masque of the red death prince prospero character analysis
find me the text answering this question