I say the clock relates to death because of it chime/ sound color, and the location. The big, black, creep clock is located in the black room, so it’s not that hard to guess that its meant to be a symbol for death. The chime is really loud when every hour passes.
Next Prince Prospero symbolizes mankind and its inability to deal with the realities of death. Prospero, like many men, thinks he can avoid death or at least put it off. Also he is a selfish person. Prince Prospero was also a wealthy and successful person. At the party in the abbey