Final answer:
In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death," the reader learns about Prince Prospero through direct characterization, which reveals his wealthy and eccentric nature as well as his courage and confidence as a ruler.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Masque of the Red Death," the reader learns about Prince Prospero through direct characterization. Direct characterization is when the author explicitly states characteristics, traits, or qualities of a character. In this story, the narrator directly describes Prince Prospero as a wealthy and eccentric nobleman who is obsessed with avoiding the Red Death by hiding in his abbey. The narrator also mentions that Prospero is a courageous and confident ruler who enjoys indulging in pleasures and throwing extravagant parties.