Edgar Allan Poe Collection
The Masque of the Red Death
Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death” is a Gothic tale of a kingdom ravaged by a deadly plague. Prince Prospero retreats with a company of wealthy guests to a fortified abbey, where they attempt to shut out the suffering beyond its walls.
Inside, the prince stages a lavish masked ball through a suite of rooms distinguished by their colors. The revelers’ celebration is interrupted by a mysterious masked figure, and the story’s atmosphere shifts from extravagant spectacle to mounting dread.
Poe’s tale combines vivid imagery, symbolic detail, and the suspense of a supernatural encounter. Its enclosed setting and stark contrast between privilege and catastrophe make for a haunting dramatic listening experience.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.