Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
FORM 3
THE PRISONER
OF ZENDA OF
Anthony Hope
A MODULE FOR
LOW ENGLISH PROFICIENCY STUDENTS
PREPARED BY
Introduction 1
A. What is a novel? 2
B. Plot Summary 3
C. Setting 8
D. Characters 9
E. Character Analysis 11
F. Themes 16
G. Moral Values 17
Appendix 1 23
Appendix 2 24
References 25
Chapter 1
• Introduction to hero – Rudolf Rassendyll.
• Living with brother and sister-in-law, Lord Burlesdon and Rose.
• Rassendyll, studied in German university, travelled far. Spoke German
and English, swordsman & horseman.
• Rose asks him to go to Ruritania with Sir Jacob Borrodaile.
• Decides to go to Ruritania on his own.
• Tells Rose he is going to the Alps to write a book.
Chapter 2
• Rudolf Rassendyll takes train to Ruritania.
• Meets Antoinette de Mauban (widow).
• Everyone stares at him.
• Strelsau is crowded; decides to stay in Zenda.
• Stays at an inn with view of castle.
• Learns about Black Michael, Princess Flavia.
• Johann, Duke’s forest guard is surprised to see Rassendyll.
Chapter 3
• Rassendyll takes a walk in the forest.
• Meets Colonel Sapt, Fritz.
• Finds out he looks like the king; only difference is the beard.
• Meets King Rudolf V.
• Rassendyll is invited to a hunting lodge.
• King Rudolf V drinks drugged wine presented by Duke Michael.
• All fall asleep.
Chapter 4
• All wake up except King Rudolf V.
• Late for coronation.
• King is ‘ill’ and weak.
• Sapt suggests Rassendyll takes the place of the king.
• Rassendyll agrees to do it.
Chapter 6
• Streslau has ‘ Old Town’ and ‘New Town’.
• Old Town supports Duke Michael; New Town, King Rudolf V.
• Coronation procession.
• Rassendyll meets Princess Flavia in Cathedral.
• They leave for palace; Princess Flavia says he is different.
• Rassendyll dines with Flavia & Michael by his side.
Chapter 7
• Dinner successful; Rassendyll not recognized.
• That night Rassendyll rides to lodge with Sapt.
• Fritz left to guard the King’s bedroom.
• 2 horsemen ride pass (Duke Michael & Max Holf).
• They reach the lodge; find Josef murdered, King missing.
Chapter 8
• Sapt advises Rassendyll to return to Strelsau as King.
• On the way they see 8 horsemen going to bury Josef.
• They kill 3 of the horsemen.
Chapter 9
• Rassendyll returns to the palace.
• Meets ambassadors.
• Introduction to Famous Six.
• Only 3 come back so the other 3 must be guarding the King.
Chapter 10
• Rassendyll visits Princess with Fritz.
• Fritz in love with Countess Helga
• Rassendyll meets Black Michael & three of the Famous Six.
• Flavia warns him of danger.
Chapter 12
• Duke and the three leave for Zenda.
• People of Ruritania angry; wedding not fixed.
• Goes to dance; says ‘ I love you’ to Flavia in garden.
• Flavia says she started loving him after the Coronation.
• Rassendyll wants to tell her the truth but is stopped by Sapt.
• Everyone cheers to see them together.
Chapter 13
• Flavia gives Rassendyll a red rose.
• In Rassendyll’s heart, Love & Honour are already at war.
• The rescue team comprises thirteen people.
• Sapt spreads the news that the King is going to hunt boars in the forest
near Zenda.
• Flavia receives the news of Rassendyll’s hunting trip with sadness.
• She learns that the ‘boar’ is actually Duke Michael and confesses her
love to Rassendyll.
• Going to the Castle of Tarlenheim (belongs to Fritz’s uncle)
Five miles from Zenda
Plenty of boars in surrounding forest
Chapter 14
• Black Michael sends three of his Famous Six to meet Rassendyll.
• Michael will be visiting Rassendyll when he is better.
• Rassendyll plans to save the King by a trick.
• He asks innkeeper’s daughter to arrange for Johann to meet him.
• Sapt waiting near the Castle of Tarlenheim.
• Bad news; Bernenstein has been shot, mistaken for Rassendyll.
Chapter 16
• News that the King is seriously wounded in a boar hunt is spread.
• Princess Flavia visits Rassendyll.
• Rassendyll sets out for Zenda Castle late at night.
• Tries to find the pipe that leads to the King’s room.
• Kills Max Holf, Johann’s brother. Feels bad about it.
• Rassendyll hears the King’s voice through a crack in the pipe.
• He fights with Rupert Of Hentzau but the latter manages to escape.
• Lauengram and Kaufstein killed.
Chapter 17
• Rassendyll’s family are looking for him.
• Rassendyll requests help from Rupert to save the King.
• Instead, Rupert offers Rassendyll a plan; asks Rassendyll to kill Sapt,
Fritz and Duke.
• Rassendyll receives a note from Antoinette de Mauban to rescue her.
Chapter 18
• Date of the royal wedding fixed; in a fortnight’s time.
• Duke, Antoinette and Rupert quarrel.
• King is very ill.
• Rassendyll gives Johann fifty thousand crowns to open the front door of
the New Castle at two o’clock in the morning.
• Rassendyll plans to save the King before the wedding.
• Bids farewell to Princess Flavia and gives her a ring.
Chapter 19
• Rassendyll swims to the drawbridge from the moat.
• Antoinette is being harassed by Rupert.
• She threatens to jump into the moat.
Chapter 20
• Loud crash in Antoinette’s room.
• Antoinette is crying frantically.
• Duke and Rupert are fighting.
• Rupert strikes down Duke and Johann and escapes into the moat.
• Rassendyll kills De Gautet, Bersonin and Detchard.
• Rupert appears.
Chapter 21
• The duke is dead.
• Antoinette fires at Rupert but misses.
• Rupert disappears into the forest.
• Snatches a peasant girl’s horse.
• Rupert tries to kill Rassendyll who is injured.
• Fritz saves Rassendyll.
Chapter 22
• Antoinette grieves for the Duke.
• King badly wounded.
• News is sent to Strelsau that the King has gone to rescue a friend.
• Princess rides to Zenda and finds out who the real King is.
Chapter 23
• Rassendyll rests in Old Castle.
• He meets the King who is grateful to him for saving his life and throne.
• Rassendyll meets Princess Flavia.
• Princess loves Rassendyll, not the King.
• Honour requires her to serve her country and marry the King.
• Rassendyll gets into train and leaves Ruritania.
Chapter 24
• Rassendyll goes to Italy.
• Travels to the Alps for a ‘ quiet holiday’.
• Stays a few days in Paris.
• Hears that Antoinette is living alone in Paris with memories of the Duke.
Strelsau
Old Town (churches and shops, poor support Duke Michael)
New Town (rich support King Rudolf)
Chapter 13
Castle of Tarlenheim ( 5 miles from Zenda) surrounded by forest
– (belongs to Fritz’s uncle)
Chapter 19 – 23
Chapter 24
D. CHARACTERS
Major Characters
King of Ruritania
Minor characters
E. CHARACTER ANALYSIS
i. Rudolf Rassendyll
Rich and has status Tells sister-in-law that he has plenty C. 1, Pg. 1
of money and a good social position
Concerned for - Concerned over his wound. “It isn’t C 10, Pg. 39
Rassendyll’s safety serious, is it?”
- Concerned that Black Michael and C 10, Pg. 41
Famous Six might hurt him. “Oh,
Rudolf, I’m so afraid. You’re in such
danger.”
Honourable, dutiful She makes the decision to stay on and C 23, Pg. 95
and willing to serve as Queen even though she’s in
sacrifice her love love with Rassendyll for “Honour
must come first.”
Loyal adviser to Like Sapt, his main priority is the C.4, Pg. 16
King King’s safety
Able to make good -“The bravest man on earth has saved C 21, Pg 88
observations him.”
- “The best men are not often kings.” C 22, Pg 95
Beautiful and rich “Tall, dark and beautiful.” Rassendyll C.2, Pg. 5
widow notices her at railway station.
Helpful and truthful Tells Rassendyll she was forced to C.11, Pg. 44
write letter and that three men will be
coming to kill him.
Faithful to her love Wanted to live alone in Paris with C 24, Pg. 96
memories of the Duke.
F. THEMES
• LOVE VS HONOUR
Rassendyll and Flavia have to sacrifice their love for honour.
• BRAVERY/COURAGE
Rassendyll is brave enough to take the risk of disguising as the King.
Sapt and Fritz exhibit courage throughout the story and so do The Famous
Six especially Rupert of Hentzau.
• BETRAYAL
Rupert of Hentzau betrays Duke Michael by killing him.
• LOYALTY
Sapt and Fritz are loyal to the King.
• TRUE LOVE
True love means making sacrifices as Rassendyll and Flavia have done.
They are faithful to their love as symbolized by the sending of roses every
year.
Antoinette de Mauban is faithful to her memories of Duke Michael.
• TRIANGULAR LOVE
Antoinette loves Duke Michael but Rupert loves her.
Flavia loves Rassendyll but is engaged to the King.
• SIBLING RIVALRY
The two brothers, Duke Michael and King Rudolf are fighting for the throne.
G. MORAL VALUES
• PATRIOTISM
Sapt and Fritz have great love for the King and country and will protect their
King at all costs.
• LOYALTY
Sapt and Fritz are loyal to the King. Antoinette is loyal to the memory of her
love for Duke Michael. Rassendyll and Flavia are loyal to their love as they
exchange roses every year.
• FRIENDSHIP
Fritz and Rassendyll remain friends. Rassendyll visits Fritz once a year.
Fritz brings him news of Strelsau and helps them (Rassendyll and Flavia)
exchange roses.
Question 1:
Write a short synopsis of ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ and discuss whether you
have found the story interesting.
Answer:
A short synopsis is a summary of the story. This story is about a rich English
gentleman by the name of Rudolf Rassendyll who goes for a holiday in
Ruritania and meets King Rudolf the Fifth accidentally on the eve of his
Coronation. Physically, King Rudolf looks exactly like Rudolf Rassendyll
except that he is clean shaven. The king invites Rudolf to dinner and they
have a drinking session. Unfortunately, the King is drugged by the wine
given by Duke Michael of Strelsau, his younger brother, who also aspires to
be King. As he is too ‘ill’ to attend the Coronation, Rudolf Rassendyll who
has a very close resemblance to the King especially the ‘flaming red hair’ is
asked to impersonate him and to exchange places as soon as the King is able
to travel back to Strelsau. However the King is captured by Black Michael
and is held a prisoner at Zenda. Poor Rudolf has to assume his false identity
for a longer time and carry out all the duties of the King without arousing the
suspicions of anyone. It is a very challenging task but he is carefully guided
by Colonel Sapt, a very loyal friend and adviser to the King. Matters become
complicated when he falls in love with Princess Flavia, a beautiful cousin of
Rudolf the Fifth. She is engaged to him and will soon be Queen of Ruritania.
Rudolf Rassendyll has to choose between honour and love as time passes and
he also risks his life to save the King
I find this story very interesting because it is full of adventure and I am happy
to see that good triumphs over evil in the end. There is a lot of suspense as
Black Michael schemes to dethrone King Rudolf and I find his ‘Famous Six’
bodyguards quite intimidating. They represent everything that is cruel,
wicked and evil and made remarkable villains in the story. I admire Princess
Flavia for choosing duty and honour over love. It must be a very painful
experience to give up the person one loves but she has done what is right and
honourable. The real king needs her to help him rule Ruritania. I find the
exchange of the gift a single red rose once every year a symbol of real love. It
is a very touching and poignant moment in the story and it reminds us that
true love needs sacrifices.
Answer:
The ‘ Famous Six’ are the personal bodyguards of Black Michael. These are
the ‘six gentlemen whom Black Michael maintains in his house.’ The chief or
leader is a young, handsome and brave man by the name of Rupert of
Hentzau. He is a skilled swordsman and a real daredevil. He is also in love
with Antoinette de Mauban, a beautiful French woman who is helplessly in
love with the Duke. Rupert is willing to fight and defy the Duke to win her
love.
The other five are Lauengram and Kaufstein, both Ruritanians, Detchard who
is English, Bersonin who is Belgian and De Gautet who is French. They are
all good and fierce fighters who will ‘cut anybody’s throat without a second
thought’. Rudolf Rassendyll is badly wounded in the left arm by Detchard
and would have been killed if the King has not pushed a chair at Detchard’s
legs to distract him. However, Rudolf manages to drive his sword straight
through his neck when Detchard slips in the doctor’s blood and half falls. The
duties of the six are to thwart any rescue on the King who is being kept a
prisoner at Zenda and to kill him before anyone gets close enough to rescue
him. The ultimate aim is to make Black Michael king. I feel the six of them
have been brave and fearless in carrying out their duties and the scene of the
funeral procession for Lauengram who has been killed is particularly
reflective. This scene shows that no matter how good a fighter one is, ‘all
men must die’ and as Rupert himself puts it very aptly, ‘even Kings’ too.
Question 3:
What is setting? Describe the setting of ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ and write
in detail a particular place that has interested you.
Answer:
Setting tells us about the time and place of a story. It can help to give us a
better understanding of the background of the story. Setting also helps to
create links between characters and events. In most cases, it helps to create a
particular mood or atmosphere.
Question 4:
Answer:
The character I like the most is Princess Flavia, the cousin to King Rudolf the
Fifth. She is very beautiful and charming. She is loved greatly by the people
who want Rudolf to set a date for the wedding quickly so that she can be
Queen of Ruritania. The Princess is also an observant woman. She can
recognise some differences between Rudolf Rassendyll and King Rudolf
almost immediately even though she is not aware that Rudolf has
impersonated the King. She says to Rudolf, ‘You seem different. You look
different. You’re thinner. You’ve changed somehow’. She is also very
concerned for the safety of Rudolf as she knows there is conflict between
Duke Michael and him. She warns him to be more careful. I admire her
courage to make the stand to remain as Queen and help the King to rule the
country even though the person she truly loves is Rudolf Rassendyll. Her
greatness lies in these words spoken with such conviction, ‘Love is not all.
You have shown me that honour must come first. My honour compels me to
stay here. I cannot run away from my duty. I must serve my country and my
House.’ She has placed duty before love. Yet her sorrow is deep,’Oh Rudolf!
Rudolf! Why did we ever meet?’ The only comfort she has is the promise
Question 5:
Write about a character that you think is brave. Give reasons for your
choice.
Answer:
Firstly, Rudolf Rassendyll is willing to take the place of the King when
Colonel Sapt asks him to, even though this is a dangerous and risky task.
During the coronation, he bravely rides alone in the Old Town in Strelsau
though it is Duke Michael’s territory and the Marshall and guards expect
trouble. Later in the story at Antoinette de Mauban’s place, he fights bravely
with 3 of the Famous Six who have come to kill him armed with revolvers by
just using a tea table as a shield. He bravely designs a plan to rescue the King
at the risk of his own life. He swims in the moat to find out if he could enter
the Castle through the pipe. He bravely fights and kills De Gautet and
Bersonin in his attempt to save the King. He fights fiercely with Detchard
who was a better swordsman in his final attempt to save the King. In the
process he is wounded in his left arm. Despite his wound, he goes after
Rupert of Hentzau and cuts his face with his sword. Though weak, he
exposes himself to danger as Rupert could have easily killed him if not for
the arrival of Fritz von Tarlenheim. At the end of the story, the fact that
Rudolf Rassendyll is brave, is reinforced when Fritz informs Rudolf that the
King is alive and says, ‘The bravest man on earth has saved him.’
Question 6:
Answer:
When Johann comes with the news that the King is getting weaker. “He is
very thin and can hardly move” Rudolf knows that he has to act quickly
before the King dies. Moreover the wedding is to be held in a fortnight’s time
Question 7:
Answer:
From ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ I have learnt about patriotism. Colonel Sapt
and Fritz love their country, Ruritania, and are willing to sacrifice their lives
for the safety of King Rudolf V. This is evident when Sapt says “The King
comes first” though he feels sorry about Rassendyll’s predicament. I have
also learnt about the importance of sacrificing your own interests for the sake
of duty and honour. Flavia and Rassendyll sacrifice their love as Flavia’s
first duty is to rule over her people. ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ has also taught
me about being brave, courageous, bold and willing to face challenges. For
example, Rassendyll is brave enough to fight with the Famous Six in many
instances in order to protect the King. He defends himself with a tea-table
and fights with Detchard and Rupert of Hentzau even though they are better
swordsmen than him. King Rudolf is finally saved because of Rassendyll’s
bravery. I have also learnt about friendship and loyalty. Fritz and Rassendyll
keep in touch and Rassendyll visits Fritz once a year. Fritz helps Rassendyll
and Flavia to exchange roses as he is aware of their true love and loyalty to
each other.
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