BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF CHARACTERS
RUDOLF RASSENDYLL – DISTANT COUSIN TO KING OF RURITANIA
King Rudolph's cousin from Bursledon family of England, Rudolf Rassendyll, comes to visit during the events, and his likeness to his cousin is uncanny. He is compelled to impersonate his cousin to receive the crown and ensure that the coronation can be proceeded. More commonly referred to as Rassendyll, the king’s cousin is a kind-hearted and gregarious fellow who gladly chips in to his new role with ease, though he feels uncomfortable about the deception. Despite having minimal ties to the king and the country, Rassendyll quickly embraces the role as the daring smash buckling hero who spearheads all the efforts to recover his cousin from cruel possession of Black Michael. Even after surviving an assault and an attempt on his own life, Rassendyll holds fast and stays frim to his virtues. He rejects the Duke’s offers of money and power time and again. He is no sacrosanct but a layman so he falls in love with the king's fiancée who is a charming company to be around.
PRINCESS FLAVIA - HEIR TO RURITANIAN THRONE:
A kind and beautiful young woman who is betrothed to the king-to-be. Princes Flavia has the poor fortune of first encountering Rassendyll, a false king whom she unknowingly falls for, unaware that their affair will ultimately doom when the king would return from his ordeal and rightfully assume his throne. Princess Flavia prioritizes her duty over her feelings for Rassendyll. She is heartbroken but faces the truth with courage and dare.
COLONELS SAPT AND FRITZ VON TARLENHEIM:
The Colonel and attendant to king are loyal supporters and friends of the king, who were with him the night before his disappearance. When he goes missing, they do everything in their power to ensure he is returned safe and retains his kingship. In fact, they are the pivot of the story as they convince Rassendyll to put his life on pause in the name of Ruritania and play the role of king. Alongside the false king, they seek to uncover and foil Black Michael’s plot against Rudolf Elphberg.
DUKE MICHAEL
The disgruntled Duke is a son of Rudolf IV, the late king, through a morganatic marriage. The younger half-brother of the king-to-be; acts as an unhappy chap with his inferior role in Ruritania's hierarchy, Michael elects to ascend to throne by hook or crook. He is the actual conspirator behind the plot to overthrow the king, intending to prevent him from attending the coronation and win the throne for himself. His complex plot is foiled by the accidental presence of Rassendyll, whose eerily similarity with the king allow him to assume the throne in the true king’s absence, preventing Michael from achieving his cleverly executed villainous ambitions. These ambitions led the Duke to his death; betrayed by his own henchman, Rupert of Hentzau, Michael dies in fruitless obscurity, known only as the villain.
ANTOINETTE DE MAUBAN:
Antoinette De Mauban is Duke Michael’s agitated mistress. A fashionable widow from Paris who loves Michael whole heartily. She is aware of Duke’s plot to overthrow the king but does not wish it to happen on the cost of her love and loyalty to Duke Michael. She stirs a plot of her own to prevent Michael from being crowned king as she is jealous of Princess Flavia and cannot see Michael sitting on throne with Princess Flavia rather than herself. It is her guidance and support that saves Rassendyll at the Summer House and leads king’s advisors to uncover his location.
COUNT RUPERT OF HENTZAU:
Rupert is a handsome young count and accomplice in the plot to overthrow the king. He is most dangerous amongst the hirelings. He is deceptive and cares for no authority; thus, his motives are suspected throughout the story. He secretly loves Madam De Mauban and wants her to honour his love but her denial provokes him in murdering Black Michael. Ultimately, Rupert escapes the plot unscathed and leaves the country while throwing a warning to Rassendyll that he would return to finish the unfinished business with him.
RUDOLF V, THE TRUE KING
Rudolf V of Ruritania is the son from royal family to late king of Ruritania and is king-to-be of the imaginary nation of Ruritania. At the start of the novel, he is enjoying the hunting trip arranged in his honour by his half-brother while awaiting coronation and is engaged to be married, but on the eve of the ceremony to crown him king, he falls a prey to the conspiracy of his brother who drugged and kidnapped him to usurp his throne. Rudolf appears relatively infrequently in the novel, as the plot follows his capture and the efforts of his supporters to safely retrieve him from captivity till almost the climax of the novel. Upon his return, he unknowingly marries his fiancée unknowing that she is in love with someone else and has sacrificed her love for the sake of country and nation.
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CHARACTER SKETCHES
"PRINCESS FLAVIA"
INTRODUCTION:
Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins has made the character of Princess Flavia as one of the main characters of the novel “The Prisoner of Zenda”. She is the only female character who is not directly involved in the conspiracies, which pervade the entire atmosphere of the novel. She is the cousin and fiancée of King Rudolf Elphberg and is the immediate inheritor to the throne.
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE:
She bears a bewitching personality and fascinates the readers by her elegant attitude in every appearance in the novel. Flavia is tall, graceful and charming lady with a pale face, blue eyes and glorious red hair. She is very young, beautiful and also attractive. Her appearance can be perceived by Rudolf Rassendyll’s saying:
“A girl pale and lovely, surmounted by a crown of glorious Elphberg hair.”
BEAUTIFUL ASPECTS OF HER ROLE:
Princess Flavia is young, captivating and graceful lady. She possesses a character full of virtues and thus commands great respect and admiration in whole Ruritania. People wish to see her as the queen of the country. She is a noble and kind-hearted woman who is the next heir to the throne of Ruritania.
“Trust men, and they will be true to you; treat them greatly, and they will show themselves great.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
WISDOM & INTELLIGENCE:
Princess Flavia is a wise woman. Her wisdom keeps her aware of the evil desires of Black Michael, who is not a good man. She very intelligently keeps herself away from all sorts of intrigues. She is a sensible person who has the courage to face the realities of life.
Her intelligence is enlightened when she warns Rassendyll about Black Michael and his intentions while saying:
“Do be careful,” she went on, “you don’t – indeed you don’t – keep enough watch on him.”
SOBERNESS:
The Character of Flavia is the only character in the novel that brings the element of love, beauty and romance in the plot to the novel apart from Countess Helga who loves Fritz. She sincerely and quite confidently admits her inclination towards Rassendyll, being impressed by his personality. She was bold enough to propose Rassendyll but her sensibility restricted her to perform any action below dignity. She gave heart and soul to Rudolf Rassendyll considering him to be the real king. She never mourns her decision even after coming to know that he is a pretender. She confessed that Rudolf Rassendyll was acceptable to him even if he was a beggar.
“The fate of love is that it always seems too little or too much.”
DEVOTION:
Princess Flavia represents admirable charms of sincerity and devotion towards her love and her country at the same time. She portrays a woman who is always worried about the security of her family and loved-ones. She can be seen advising and warning Rassendyll time and again to be cautious of the wicked plans of Duke Michael. When Black Michael’s man Rupert successfully attempts on him and injures Rassendyll, she at once reached Zenda to look after him.
ROMANCE:
Romance is the essence of the Character of Princess Flavia which is portrayed and displayed time and again throughout the plot. Princess is a lady with elements of love in her heart that flame fascination and temptation of Rassendyll towards her. Love in its true forms enters her life when she meets Rudolf Rassendyll who is crowned in Ruritania as king.
BRAVERY & CONFIDENCE:
She sincerely and quite confidently admits her inclination towards Rassendyll, being impressed by his personality. She was bold enough to propose Rassendyll but her sensibility restricted her to perform any action below dignity. She gave heart and soul to Rudolf Rassendyll considering him to be the real king. When she comes to his reality yet she doesn’t mourn her decision and bluntly tell him that she would marry the king but will always love Rassendyll. Even after coming to know that he is a pretender she confessed that Rudolf Rassendyll was acceptable to him even if he was a beggar.
“The fate of love is that it always seems too little or too much.” - Amelia Barr
SENSE OF DUTY:
Princess Flavia is a responsible lady who knows her duty to her lover and to her country simultaneously. She has great respect for the King, Rudolf Elphberg though she does not love him. She decides to marry the King, Rudolf Elphberg to bring peace and joy in the lives of her people because she knows very well that the king alone cannot manage the affairs of the country.
PATRIOTIC SPIRIT:
Princess Flavia has been depicted as very loyal to the country and clearly differentiates between love and duty. She sets an example of the greatest sacrifice by giving up her love at the altar of duty. This aspect of her character shows that she is not the slave of her passions.
SELFLESSNESS:
She is not a slave to her passions and reflects a self-sacrificing lady who sacrificed her own love and personal happiness of being in life of Rassendyll for the sake of the country.
This action reflects her sense of responsibility and devotion towards the man whom she loved from the depths of her heart. Here sense of duty is enlightened when she says to Rassendyll:
“Your ring will always be on my finger, your heart in my heart. But you must go and I must stay.”
GREAT SACRIFICE:
In order to maintain peace in Ruritania and not to disgrace the royal family, Princess Flavia has taken a remarkable and daring step as she sacrificed her love for the sake of her homeland and parted with Rassendyll forever. It was a noble and graceful decision in the interest of Ruritania and the Royal family.
“To love one person with a private love is poor and miserable, to love all is glorious.”
- Thomas Treharne
CONCLUSION:
Princess Flavia proves to be the best leading female character of the novel. She is also the most lively and integral personality which brings love, tranquility and passion with her each appearance. She holds the attentions of the readers because of her charm, duty and incredible virtues. She respected the wishes of the people and the country and gave up her love for the sake of her country. She is a complete symbol of love, beauty and sacrifice, which makes her an admirable character.
“There is no moral authority like that of sacrifice.” - Nadine Gordimer
“RUDOLF RASSENDYLL”
INTRODUCTION:
Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins has made the character of Rudolf Rassendyll as the hero of the novel Prisoner of Zenda. He is indeed the most glorious and delightful figure of the novel filled with excitement, love, intellect and adventures. He is the protagonist in the novel and is portrayed as typical hero of romance with great many abilities to attract. His thoughts, emotions and unconditional devotion makes him a noble character.
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE:
Rassendyll has been picturized as a young brave, tall, well built and handsome young man of 29. He has red hair, straight nose, blue eyes and a beard. His physical appearance bears striking resemblance to that of the real king as he possesses two famous identical features of Elphbergs i. e. red hair and pointed nose. He has kept heavy mustache and carefully pointed royals. He is around six feet two inches of stature. Despite his striking resemblance to Rudolph Elphberg, the new king of Ruritania, there were some noticeable differences too as Rassendyll himself had pointed himself:
“The king’s face was slightly fleshier than mine, the oval of its contour the least trifle more pronounced and his mouth lacking something of the firmness which was to be gathered from my close-shutting lips.”
However, in spite of these differences, Colonel Sapt could not help mentioning to Rassendyll:
“You’re an Elphberg, every inch of you.”
VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HIS ROLE:
The integral character of Rassendyll holds the attention of the readers throughout the exciting events of the novel. Rassendyll possesses a prime personality and is linked with the main incidents of the novel in one way or the other.
FAMILY BACKGROUND:
Rudolf Rassendyll belongs to a noble family of “Bursledon’s” in England. He is an educated man with perfect command over German and French. He is bold, cultural and knows the art of becoming popular. By nature, he is very gentle and honest but spends his time in random sort of activities and amusements but when he impersonates the king of Ruritania, he dazzles our imaginations by showing a deep sense of responsibility. He begins to display his talents and sterling qualities.
CAREFREE:
Being a rich man he seems to be a carefree young man in the beginning of the novel. His sister in law mocks him for his attitude and for that mocking he argues:
“Why in the world should I do anything? My position is the comfortable one.”
“Our family does not need things to do”
WISDOM AND PRUDENCE:
Rudolf Rassendyll proves himself to be a man of outstanding attributes and full of wisdom. He plays the role of the king very intelligently. Once he gets entangled in Ruritanian politics, he becomes conscious not only of the significance of his royal position but also of the responsibility, which lies on his shoulders. He is a wise, cool minded and responsible man.
ADVENTURE:
Rudolf Rassendyll is very fond of adventures and loves to roam about instead of sticking to a job. He is also a good mastermind who handles difficult situations seeming effortless. The desire to participate in sensational events is always there in his heart. This desire was fulfilled by his play-acting of King Rudolf Elphberg, who was very identical to him. His likeness with the king of Ruritania helped him to make his mission a success. He pledges in strong and unequivocal terms: “I have been an imposter for the profit of another, but I will not be one for my own; and if the king is not alive and on his throne before the day of betrothal comes I will tell the truth, come what may.”
A SKILL FULL AND WELL EDUCATED MAN:
Rudolf Rassendyll has received his education from a Germen University and can speak many languages. He is a good shooter, a skill full swordsman and an expert horseman.
He proves himself a man of spirit when he gets a chance to become the king but he leaves no stone unturned to rescue the king from cruel clutches of Black Michael. He courageously faces the dangerous circumstances and never backs out from any fight.
COMMITMENT & HONOUR:
Rudolf Rassendyll is a sincere man. He does not want to keep the throne to himself. He carries out all his responsibilities with firmness and confidence. He realizes that it is his duty to restore the real king to the throne and he never tries to take undue advantage as a pretender. He demonstrates a high level of commitment throughout the novel. He says to his sister in law:
“When I do things, I do not do it by halves”
He doesn’t take advantage of Princess Flavia in his role as a king. He refuses Rupert’s offer in Zenda to remain the king and get rid of the real king and Black Michael. He is the man of honor and integrity. He impersonates the king but takes it as his duty. During a conversation with his sister in law he says:
“To a man spirit, my dear rose, opportunities are duties.”
His veracity and sincerity is outstanding as he declares:
“If I’m found out, I’ll make a clean breast of it, and fight it out with the Duke.”
Though Rassendyll’s heart throbs for Princess Flavia but the sense of duty and devotion to the throne is far stronger in him.
BOLDNESS AND COURAGE:
Rudolf Rassendyll is supposed to be gifted with extraordinary courage and chivalry, and does not fall short of our expectations in this matter. He is an expert rider and an excellent sword man. When time and fate offered Rassendyll a challenge, he accepted him as a brave man. His stay in Ruritania unfolds his marvelous sense of responsibility, boldness and wisdom. The role played by him in Ruritania to save the throne from Black Michael was really an act of gallantry and wisdom.
The circumstances urge him to express love to Princess Flavia but to feel it. He shows his love and affection in Ball and in every meeting with Flavia however, being deeply conscious of his responsibility and dedication, he declares:
“I had to keep the princess devoted to me and yet indifferent to me; I had to show affection for her and not feel it.”
CONSPIRACY CRUSHER:
Rassendyll initially shows hesitation to venture on as the imposter of the king but later he fulfills his duties with honor, grace and dignity. He fails Michael’s plot to be the king of Ruritania and luck also favors him.
SELFLESSNESS:
According to Sapt’s plan, Rassendyll has to show affection to princess Flavia. However things take a different turn and Rassendyll helplessly falls in love with Princess Flavia. His feelings towards Princess Flavia were noble in nature. They bid farewell to their short lived happiness and parted their ways with burden of love.
THE GREAT SACRIFICE:
"COLONEL SAPT"
INTRODUCTION:
Colonel Sapt is one of the most significant and momentous characters of the novel entitled Prisoner of Zenda, written by Anthony Hope. Being the most loyal servant of the kind, Colonel Sapt was the man behind the impersonating of King Elphberg by Rudolf Rassendyll. It was due to his guidance that Rassendyll could successfully play the role of king Elphberg.
Colonel Sapt has played the character of an honest person who has sincere wishes to save the throne for the real king of Ruritania. A single glance over the mentioned qualities will bring to light the noble character of Colonel Sapt.
COURAGE AND BRAVERY:
Colonel Sapt is a brave man whose gallantry keeps him motivated for taking personal risks. He shows great valour on all events. He is also very loyal to the king and serves the throne with dedication and faith. Being a sovereign authority, he has enough experience in the art of governing people. His only objective in life is to reinstate King Elphberg. For this achievement, he uses all the persons including Countess Flavia as pieces of chess board.
Sapt’s courage and determination is enlightened when he said to Rassendyll:
“If we’re detected, I’ll send Black Michael down below before I go myself.”
WISDOM AND SENSIBILITY:
Colonel Sapt is a wise man. His superb prudence made him sensible enough not take reckless steps. He uses his mind and intelligence on the battlefield of life. It was merely due to his witticism that Rassendyll’s identification was not revealed. Although the Colonel does not accept advises from others, his gorgeous mentality enables him to crush all the obstacles that come in the path of his aim. Due to these qualities, he exalted himself in the eyes of the king and Rassendyll.
His wisdom is enlightened when he said: “If you do not go I swear to you Black Michael will sit tonight on the throne, and the king lies in prison or his grave.”
FRIENDLY ATTITUDE:
Colonel Sapt is not only a good advisor, but also a sincere friend of Rassendyll. He became Rassendyll’s friend as soon as they both met. Colonel Sapt served his friend on every difficult stage. A good example of sincere friendship is seen at the Summer House, when Rassendyll was in a dangerous situation among the enemies.
BACHELORSHIP:
Colonel Sapt appears to be a confirmed bachelor having low opinion about women. He never trusts in ladies, but believes that women spoil everything. Even the princess does not come in exception to his hatred for the opposite gender.
When Mme de Mauban invites Rassendyll to the Summer House, he said: “I do not believe any woman and you shall not go.”
DISCIPLINE:
Colonel Sapt is a well-disciplined man. He has some firm rules, which are strictly followed by him. This discipline and devotion leads the Colonel to serve the king and his country.
When Rassendyll went to Marshall for some help without consulting him, Sapt angrily said: “Sapt likes to be consulted before hand, not informed afterwards.”
LOYALTY:
Colonel Sapt is a colonel in the Ruritanian Army. He is the oldest of all the hot-blooded army men. The colonel is a devoted servant of the king. His loyalty is for the cause of monarchy and not for any particular person. He has a highly productive mind, which enables him to act daringly to restore the throne. He succeeded in liberating who was the actual inheritor to the throne.
Colonel Sapt says: “I have eaten the King’s bread and I am the King’s servant.”
CONCLUSION:
The character performed by Colonel Sapt is worth-reading. Readers get fascinated by his wisdom, loyalty, courage and good principles.
"BLACK MICHAEL / DUKE OF STRALSAU"
INTRODUCTION:
Black Michael is the villain of the novel entitled The Prisoner of Zenda created by Anthony Hope. He is stepbrother of King Elphberg. He is not the legal heir to the throne because he is the son of the king’s second and morganatic marriage. Black Michael is the owner of castle of Zenda and the surrounding estate. Being the favourite of the late king of Ruritania, he was appointed as the Duke of Strelsau. He is schemer and evil by nature.
SELFISH AND HYPOCRITE:
Black Michael is a selfish man. He loves Princess Flavia just to get the throne. He is a hypocrite and makes a false show of love towards Madam Mauban. He has become popular among a small number of people of the country by his hypocrisy. He is over ambitious and greedy.
A WICKED PERSON:
Black Michael is a sinful man. He makes plot to get the throne with the help of his companions, but always tries to delude them. That is why his followers betray him, when he is expecting complete victory. He invites Rassendyll to the Summer House through a conspiracy, but fortunately Rassendyll survives. This sharp and evil act shows his wickedness.
A CRUEL MAN:
Black Michael is indeed a cruel person. When the king has been in his noose, he treats him in a very harsh and inhuman manner. He does not feel pity for his brother even. Black Michael is a coward man. He wants to save his life at any cost. He does not come out to handle the situation at any time.
A COOL-MINDED CRIMINAL:
Black Michael is a wicked but a cool minded and genius criminal. When he sees that Rassendyll has impersonated the king of Ruritania he does not make it known to the people to keep his villainy secret. We see that even Rupert’s interest and love for Mauban do not irritate him. It shows that he is a controlled emotion criminal.
A SLAVE OF LUST FOR POWER:
Black Michael becomes utterly blind for power. At any rate he wants to usurp the sovereignty form his brother. His lust for power corrupts him and brings his decline.
THE TRAGIC END:
Black Michael always deceives his close companions. That is why he is killed by one of his own followers. Thus, the villain of the novel receives a tragic end.
"ANTOINETTE DE MAUBAN"
INTRODUCTION:
Antoinette-de- Mauban is the character of the novel entitled Prisoner of Zenda written by Anthony Hope. Mme-de- Mauban was a widow, rich, beautiful and clever lady. She deeply loved Black Michael, the Duke of Stralsau.
MOTIVES:
She was sincerely devoted to the Duke and by this genuine attachment. She followed him at his request from Paris to Ruritania but she was not aware that the Duke whom she thought to be a man of strong passions was actually a cruel, cunning and selfish man who was content to take all but gives nothing.
PEACE LOVER:
She was a quite person who had decided to spend a quite and peaceful time in Ruritania with the Duke. With this intention she accepted the Duke’s request. Only to discover at her arrival that things were contradictory to what she had though. It did not take her long to find out that the Duke wanted to kill the King and seize the th5one for himself but Mme-de- Mauban did not desire his triumph for she detested his crime and mainly because she knew that if Michael was made the king he would marry Princess Flavia.
POSSESSIVE & EMOTIONAL WOMAN:
She was a possessive woman and found her rival and would not bear to see the Duke abandoning her by marrying the Princess so she betrayed Black Michael to Rassendyll by warning him of his plan to kill him in the Summer House for she knew that in case of Rassendyll’s death the Duke would become the king and would eventually marry Flavia. She was a woman ruled by her emotions and when Michael was killed by Rupert, she heaving taunts came forth to avenge him.
CONSCIENTIOUS:
She wrote a letter to Flavia as king and warned her not to accept the Duke’s invitation in case; she would come in the power of the Duke. She was a pretty lady and at the Zenda, Rupert, one of the king’s six men was caught by her beauty. But Mauban hated him for she was sincerely devoted to the Duke. Being aware of Rupert’s intentions she had warned Michael of him. Mauban was a compassionate woman and when she learnt of the full measure of his cruelty, she was touched with compassion for the King and from that day she became a well-wisher of Rassendyll and his party.
DUKE’S INTRIGUER:
Gradually she found herself entangled into the Duke’s plan, but she was not a weak woman, tired of quarrels and ills between the Duke and Michael and disappointed by Black Michael’s cruel plans and selfish motives. She begs Rassendyll to rescue her from the Duke and Rupert but she still loved Black Michael and hoped to gain his life if not his pardon from the king.
END TO THE DRAMA:
This conduct proved that no knowledge of the man’s real character was enough to root her regard, for him out of her heart. After these tragic events she withdraws herself entirely from society. She recognized the king’s generosity and kindness and so she did not betray the king’s trust by letting out the secret.
"RUDOLF ELPHBERG"
INTRODUCTION:
Rudolf Elphberg is one of the central characters of the novel entitled The Prisoner of Zenda created by Anthony Hope. He is the prisoner in the castle of Zenda. He is son of late king of Ruritania and heir to throne.
APPEARANCE:
Rudolf Elphberg is a young, tall and handsome man. He is an educated man. He has red hair, straight nose, blue eyes and a beard. His physical appearance bears striking resemblance to that of Rudolf Rassendyll, though there were some points of differences, which are pointed by Rudolf Rassendyll:
“The king’s face was slightly fleshier than mine, the oval of its contour the least trifle more pronounced and his mouth lacking something of the firmness which was to be gathered from my close-shutting lips.”
However, in spite of these differences, Colonel Sapt could not help mentioning to Rassendyll: “You’re an Elphberg, every inch of you.”
LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMON SENSE:
Rudolf Elphberg, the king is a happy-go-lucky type of young man. He is a pleasure loving man and wishes to pass a happy and care free life. He is devoid of a sense of responsibility and lacks even common sense. He is indiscreet and trusts even his half brother, Black Michael. He does not care even the coronation and drinks excessively. He also drinks the wine sent by his wicked brother. He does not even think or suspect about it. It is well known to the people of Ruritania that Black Michael intends to get through the access to the throne and wants to marry Flavia, but Elphberg is not aware of this fact.
A WEAK MAN:
He has not the quality to face the dangers and odds boldly. His behaviour in prison throws a shadow upon his person. He becomes completely demoralized and losses all grill. His health suffers and he becomes partially insane. He requests Detchard to persuade his brother, Black Michael to kill him. He becomes hopeless and sobs on his fate.
NOT A BAD MAN:
Rudolf Elphberg cannot, however, be called a bad man. He may be a weak king, but as a man, he has some very good qualities. He is a pleasant tempered man, a sincere and good friend. He stands by his friends and has a great trust and faith in them. There is in him a peculiar charm of personality, which inspires confidence in the heart of those who come into contact with him. He loves and admires Flavia. He is sincere, kind and open-hearted.
CONCLUSION: