What Do Rooms Represent in Masque?

In the context of a masque, specifically as described by the provided reference, the rooms represent the stages of life.

Symbolism of the Rooms

The arrangement and movement through the rooms serve as a powerful metaphor for the progression through human existence. This symbolism is deeply rooted in the natural world and the cycle of the sun.

The Journey from East to West

According to the reference:

• The Rooms Represent: The stages of life.
• Beginning: The rooms start at the east.
• Progression: They move westward.

This east-to-west path mirrors the trajectory of the sun across the sky throughout the day.

Connecting Day and Life

The design explicitly links the daily cycle with the human lifespan:

• Morning (East): Represents birth or the beginning of life.
• Day (Progression West): Symbolizes the various stages of life's journey.
• Night (West/End): Signifies the end of life and ultimately, death.

This structured progression through the rooms allows the masque to tell a symbolic story about the inevitability of life's end and, often in such allegories, the futility of trying to escape it. The specific colors and decorations of each room often further elaborate on the characteristics of each stage or mood represented.

Summary Table:

By moving through these distinct, symbolically colored spaces, participants or characters in the masque experience a representation of life's passage from beginning to end.