The "Red Death" is a fictional plague featured in Edgar Allan Poe's short story, "The Masque of the Red Death." This disease is characterized by sudden onset, severe symptoms, and a high mortality rate. Victims experience intense pain, followed by a rapid decline leading to death within hours. The plague symbolizes the inevitability of death and the futility of trying to escape it. In the story, a wealthy prince named Prospero attempts to avoid the Red Death by isolating himself and his friends in a lavish abbey. They hold a masquerade ball, but the arrival of a mysterious guest dressed as a victim of the plague reveals that death cannot be escaped, ultimately leading to the downfall of all attendees.