The Prisoner of Zenda Questions & Answers

Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh

The Prisoner of Zenda Question Answers

Q1. Describe the meeting of the two distant cousins?
OR
Describe how two Rudolfs met in the forest of Zenda?

Ans. Rudolf Rassendyll, a young English man, and Rudolf Elphberg, the king of Ruritania, had close resemblance
with each other because of their distant blood relationship. Rassendyll starts this journey to Ruritania from England
to witness the coronation ceremony of King Rudolf, his distant cousin. He met the King by chance in the forest of
Zenda. Both were surprised to see the resemblance with each other.

In a happy mood, the King invited Rassendyll to have a dinner with him. At dinner, the King took drugged wine sent
to him by his half-brother, Michael. He became unconscious and could not walk upright early in the morning. Thus,
it became a serious problem being the fixed day of the coronation ceremony. Anyhow, Col. Sapt and Captain Fritz
requested him to have off his beard and impersonate the king just to save the kingdom of Ruritania. Rassendyll agreed
to do so, he acted very tactfully and went successful. By this way, the meeting of the two distant cousins proved
fruitful.

Q2. Describe the rescue of the king of Ruritania by Rassendyll and his companions?
OR
How did Rassendyll liberate the real king from the prison?

Ans. Rassendyll made a final attempt to liberate the King from the cell. He took Madame De Mauban in his
confidence. According to scheme, Rassendyll swam across the moat. He hid near the pipe-coming out of the window
of the king’s room. The drawbridge was over the moat. A light was burning in Michael’s room. Madame De Mauban
and Rupert were there.

Detchard, one of the strong men of Michael, entered the king’s room to kill him. He killed the king’s doctor, who
resisted him. Soon Rassendyll also entered the King’s room. There he had a fierce fight with Detchard, whom he
ultimately killed. Rassendyll came of the king’s room. Rupert was standing on the bridge keeping Michael’s servants
away.
De Mauban also appeared there. She fired at Rupert. The shot misses and he jumped into the most and swan away.

Sapt and Fitz had already entered the castle. Now the castle was in the hands of Rassendyll and his companions. They
saved the lives of the king and De Mauban.

Q3. Describe Rudolf Rassendyll encounter with armed men during the meeting with Lady Mauban.
OR
Describe the scene in which Rassendyll used an iron-topped table to save himself.
OR
Describe the most exciting, thrilling or interesting event in the novel "Prisoner of Zenda"

Ans. Black Michael was deadly against Rudolf Rassendyll. He asked Madame De Mauban to write a letter to
Rassendyll to come in the Summerhouse. His aim was to kill him. So, she wrote a letter to Rassendyll to come alone
at midnight to the Summerhouse to listen terrible news.

Rassendyll and Sapt reach the Summerhouse. Rassendyll went into the summerhouse by holding a revolver in his
hand and Sapt stayed outside. She told Rassendyll frankly that three men of Michael would be there in twenty minutes
to kill him. Therefore, he should be careful.

Soon three armed men reached there. First, they offered Rassendyll fifty thousand pounds for leaving the country
forever. In the meantime, he took up a little iron table, he kept its top before him and asked Michael’s men to pull the
door and open it. As soon as they opened it, he ran out. They fired at him, but the shots only hit the top of the table;
they also ran after him. But Rassendyll threw the table on their hands. He and they felt down on the ground. Rassendyll

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Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
got up and wounded one of the three men with his pistol. He ran to a ladder about which De Mauban had told him. He
climbed up this ladder and got out of the Summerhouse over the wall. Rassendyll saved himself with the help of the
small iron table. This event is the most exciting in the novel. It is also the moment of greatest suspense.

Q4. Which character in the novel "Prisoner of Zenda" do you like most and why?

Ans. I like the character of Rudolf Rassendyll. My liking is because he is hero of the novel. He performs noble deeds
through and through in the novel; he is a noble man and possesses all the qualities of leadership. By chance, he meets
with the real King, Rudolf Elphberg, in the forest of Zenda. He resembles the King. The King invites him to stay with
him. When the real king does not come into senses early in the morning, Rassendyll accepts the request of Col. Sapt
to impersonate the King, just to save the kingdom of Ruritania. Princess Flavia loves him, he but does not marry her
because he does not want to cheat the real king; his only mission is to liberate the king from the cell. He puts all his
efforts for this purpose. Ultimately, he liberates the real king at the cost of his life. He hands over the kingdom to the
real king and goes way to England. Due to his character, he is remembered by his friends and acquaintances.

Q5. Give an account of the coronation and describe Rassendyll’s behavior at it.

Ans. Rassendyll shaved off his beard and wore the king’s dress. He appeared to be King Rudolf when he appeared for
the coronation.

Rassendyll reached the church for the coronation in procession, and richly dressed priests stood ready to receive him
Princess Flavia and Black Michael were also present among the dignified persons. Michael grew pale and his helmet
fell off his head to see Rassendyll appear as the king. Michael never expected that Rassendyll would begin acting as
the king.

Rassendyll bent before the alter. The high priest performed the ceremony of applying crown to his head. Rassendyll
stood up, stretched his hands and took the crown from the priest’s hand. He placed the crown on his head, he took the
oath of the king. Then he performed the last ceremony (The Holy Sacrament) before all the persons. There was grand
music once again. It was then loudly declared that Rudolf the fifth had become the king. Thus, ended the coronation.
Rassendyll behaved like the real king all through the coronation.

Q6. Why did Michael not tell others about Rassendyll’s impersonation of the king?
And why did Rassendyll keep quite about Michael’s misdeeds?
OR
Explain how the novel progresses because both Michael and Rassendyll cannot tell others about each other?

Ans. Michael wanted to become king. That is why he had tried to keep king Rudolf away from the coronation. Now
Rassendyll knew everything that he had done to the king. It was before Rassendyll that the king had taken the drugged
wine in a forest sent by Michael. When the king became unconscious, Rassendyll began impersonating him and went
to the coronation in his place.

No doubt Michael was shocked to see Rassendyll impersonating the king at the coronation. Though he wanted to, he
could not open his mouth about Rassendyll’s impersonation; he knew that if he did so, Rassendyll would tell all his
secrets to the People.

On his part, Rassendyll did not and could not tell others about Michael’s secrets, he knew that it he did so, Michael
would at once get King Rudolf killed. Michael had imprisoned the king in the castle of Zenda. Thus, the novel
progresses because Michael and Rassendyll must be silent before the people about each other.

Q7. How did Princess Flavia learn the truth about Rassendyll (that he was not the king)?
What was its effect upon her?

Ans. Flavia learnt that the king lay wounded in the castle of Zenda. She came to Tarlenheim to see the wounded king
at once. She started in her carriage for the castle. Flavia’s carriage drove up the hill nears the forest, Rassendyll and
Fritz were there in the forest behind some bushes. Rassendyll had been wounded, he saw Flavia going to the castle of

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Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
Zenda, and he did not want to meet her at that time. But a farm-girl ran to Flavia and told her that the king was lying
in the bushes.

Flavia herself came to the bushes where Rassendyll was lying. First he told her that he was not the king. Then
Rassendyll himself said that he was not the king, thus she came to know the truth about Rassendyll.

Flavia was shocked to find that her lover was not the king. She had been loving him from the heart. Now she found
that he was someone else. She felt very sad and fainted.

Q8. Describe Rassendyll’s last interview with Flavia. What do you think of FIavia’s decision? OR
Show how Rassendyll sacrifices love and ambition to duty and honor. OR
Describe the most emotional scene in the novel?

Ans. Rassendyll was staying at the castle of Zenda after saving the king. Princes Flavia had also reached there. It was
night. Rassendyll went into Princess Flavia’s room. Flavia said that she had a duty to her country and to her royal
family. She loved Rassendyll, but she could not live with him. Rassendyll had to leave for England after some time
after that Flavia had to stay in Ruritania to be named to King Rudolf.

Rassendyll was sad to hear Flavia’s words. He said he would keep her ring and would continue to love her. He wished
her every comfort and left her.

Flavia decided not to marry Rassendyll because she was loyal to her people, her country, and the king. She sacrificed
love to duty. She took the right step at the right moment. Her marriage to King Rudolf was quite necessary to keep
the people satisfied and peaceful.

Q9. Briefly describe Rassendyll’s meeting with king Rudolf in the forest?

Ans. Rassendyll was greatly surprised to see king Rudolf in the forest of Zenda. He gave a cry when he found that
Rudolf was just like him. Rudolf’s face and appearance were quite like his own. Rudolf’s height appeared to be slightly
less than his. Rassendyll bowed respectfully before the king.

The king asked Sapt about Rassendyll. But later he recognized him and called him his cousin. Then he asked
Rassendyll to excuse him for not recognizing him soon.

King Rudolf asked Rassendyll where he was going. Rassendyll said that he was going to Strelsau, to attend the king’s
coronation, Rudolf become very happy to hear this. He began joking with Fritz and Sapt about Rassendyll’s visit to
Ruritania.
Rassendyll became serious in appearance. He said to the king that he would leave Ruritania that night. He asked him
his name and became very frank to him. They started walking through the forest.

They talked about Rassendyll’s visit to Ruritania acid about Michael. Then they reached Michaels shooting lodge for
dinner.

Q10. Why were Col. Sapt and Rassendyll so anxious to leave for Zenda? Describe the dangers they faced.

Ans. Col. Sapt and Rassendyll wanted to save the life of King Rudolf. They had left him at the hunting lodge in the
forest of Zenda. After the coronation they were very anxious to reach there quickly. Michael knew that Rassendyll
was not the real king; he had received a message from Zenda. Perhaps he wanted to do something dangerous to King
Rudolf. Sapt and Rassendyll became anxious about King Rudolf’s life.

Sapt and Rassendyll secretly left Strelsau for Zenda at night. They were riding their horses. Once on their way, they
heard two horsemen coming behind them. Rassendyll and Sapt hid themselves behind some trees. The two horsemen
reached near them and stopped. They were Michael and his servant. After talking about the presence of some men,
there they started again towards Zenda. After sometime Rassendyll and Sapt also rode fast towards Zenda.

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Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
Rassendyll and Sapt reached the hunting lodge of Michael in the forest. There they found the handkerchief with which
they had earlier tied the old women. They had left the king under the charge of Josef (The King’s servant) when they
left Zenda.

Rassendyll and Sapt searched for the king in the cellar. They found blood stains in one of them. They found Josef’s
dead body there. But the king was not there in any of them. Rassendyll and Sapt came out. They heard some horsemen
coming to the lodge. These horsemen were Michael’s men, sent by him to bring Josef’s dead body. Rassendyll and
Sapt rushed on their horses towards those men. The killed three of them and returned to Strelsau.

Q11. How did Black Michael kidnap the King? What precaution did he take to keep him safely imprisoned?

Ans. Black Michael kidnapped the king from the hunting lodge in the forest of Zenda. In fact the king had invited
Rassendyll to dinner. Sapt and Fritz were also present at the dinner. It was night. After the dinner the king started
taking wine with others. Now Michael sent a bottle of special wine to the king through Josef, the king’s servant. The
wine was drugged. The king took the bottle himself. As a result, he became unconscious.

Rassendyll, Sapt and Fritz, went to sleep. The next morning they found the king lying unconscious. It was the day of
the king’s coronation.

On the suggestion of Sapt and Fritz, Rassendyll agreed to impersonate the king. They left the insensible king behind
in a room and started for Strelsau. They also left Josef there to look after the king. Afterwards Michael’s men killed
Josef and kidnapped the king.

Michael imprisoned the king in a small room in his old castle at Zenda. This room had only one window near the
surface of the moat. This moat was full of water to stop any one trying to reach the castle, where the the king’s room
was. There was only one entrance to this room from an inner room. Three strong men of Michael were always on
guard. There was a large pipe going through the window of the king’s room to the moat.

Michael had ordered his strong men to kill the king if they were attacked. Then they had to throw his body into the
moat through the pipe. They could run away from the place through the same pipe.

Q12. Give an account of the ball which Rassendyll gave in honour of Princess of Flavia?

Ans. The people of Ruritania were dissatisfied over the king’s delay in marrying Flavia. In fact, Rassendyll was
impersonating the king. He could not marry the princess. Sapt asked Rassendyll to make love to Flavia at a ball for
the satisfaction of the people. Fritz had arranged that ball in honour of Flavia.

The ball was very grand. Rassendyll opened it by dancing with Flavia. All the people present there looked at them and
talked about them. Then Rassendyll and Flavia started having the supper with guests. During supper, he put a ribbon
with jewels around the neck of the princess. The people started loved this. Sapt and Fritz enjoyed the sense very much.
Then the remaining supper was taken in silence. After it was over, Rassendyll and Flavia got into a small room. There
coffee was served to them. Flavia sat down and Rassendyll stood before her. She asked him if he really loved her. He
said that he loved her more than anything else.

Flavia said that she loved him from her heart. Even if he was not the king she would love him. She loved him more
and Rassendyll was going to tell his real name to her. Just then Sapt, appeared there and cleverly stopped Rassendyll
from doing it. He said that the Cardinal was waiting for him and he should see him.

Thus the above ball was a success. The people came to know through it that Rassendyll still loved Flavia and wanted
to marry her.

Q13. Give an account of Rupert’s attempt on Rassendyll’s life at the Tarlenheim House?

Ans. Rassendyll, Sapt ,and Fritz and ten reliable persons with them went to the Tarlenheim House. They wanted to
provide help to the king imprisoned at Zenda. The owners of the chateau were a relation of fritz. This chateau was
only five miles away from Zenda.

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Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh

Michael had made an attempt on the king’s life. Rassendyll and his men wanted to save the king. An hour after
Rassendyll’s arrival, three of the size strong men of Michael came to meet him. In the evening Rassendyll visited the
inn where he had stayed of his first arrival at Zenda. He met John, Michael’s servant outside. While returning from
there he Iearnt that one of his ten gentlemen had been wounded by Michael’s man.
The next morning Rupert Hentazu had an interview with Rassendyll in the ground of the chateau of Tarlenheim.
Rupert said that Michael would pay Rassendyll a million crown if he left Ruritania. Rassendyll at once refused the
offer. Then they talked about the imprisoned king and princess Flavia for some time.

Rupert mounted his horse and hit Rassendyll with his dagger. Rassendyll was wounded on his shoulder. Rassendyll’s
friends were only thirty yards away from him. They ran to kill Rupert. They fired their revolvers at him. But he ran
away on his horse.

Q14. Give an account of Rupert’s escape from Zenda?

OR
Describe the pursuit of Rupert by Rassendyll and their flight.

Ans. Rassendyll saved the king in the castle of Zenda. He was with the wounded King in the room of castle. There he
heard the sound of the movement of the draw bridge on the moat. He at once came out. He found Rupert standing on
the bridge and threatening Michael’s servants with his arms not to come to him. Madame de Mauban appeared on the
other side of the bridge. She fired at Rupert with her revolver. Her shot missed him. Rupert jumped into the moat and
swam away.

Rassendyll also jumped into the moat and swam after Rupert. He had a wounded arm, so he could not easily reach
Rupert. He called Rupert’s name. Soon Rupert’s movement became slow. He found a rope tied to the bank of the
moat, earlier left by Rassendyll. He took hold of it and climbed to the bank. He stood there with his sword. Rassendyll
also reached the rope. Rupert stood ready to kill him, and Rassendyll climbed to the bank. He saw Rupert running
before him towards the forest.

Rassendyll started running after Rupert. But Rupert was quite ahead of him. In the way Rupert found a girl on her
horse. He took the horse from girl. He rode it and began to come towards Rassendyll. They talked angrily for some
time and then there was a fight between them. Rassendyll attacked him first with his sword. But his attack missed
him. Then Rupert attacked him and pushed him back. Rassendyll wounded Rupert on the cheek. Now Rassendyll sat
down expecting and attack. Rupert could have killed him. But just then Fritz, Rassendyll’s friend, appeared there on
the horse. He had a revolver. Rupert saw him. Then saying "Good bye," he started running away. Fritz fired at him
but his shot missed him. Rupert rode away into the forest and disappeared.

Q15. Bring out the points of resemblance and difference between Rudolf, Rassendyll and King Rudolf?

Ans. Points of Resemblance:

The name "Rudolf" was common to them both. Both had dark red hair. Their noses were long. Their faces quite
resembled each other. Their bodies were strong. On the whole they, physically resembled each other much. No one
could find out their differences easily. When Rassendyll wore the King’s clothes and went to Strelsau, every one
thouht he was the real king. At the coronation and on other occasions Rassendyll was taken as the king.

Both Rassendyll and king Rudolf were young men. They had strong passions of love. Both of them had descended
from the same King of Ruritania.

Points of Differences:
Rassendyll was slightly taller than King Rudolf. He had a beard and a moustache on. Rassendyll did not take so much
wine as Rudolf did. Rudolf was really a drunkard. Thus, Rudolf was not, as active as Rassendyll. He was also very
careless. Rassendyll was not careless or foolish like him. His face was slightly thinner and more serious than that of
Rudolf.

Rassendyll faced the dangerous men boldly at the cost of his own life. Rudolf was rather lazy, dull and weak. That is
why perhaps princess Flavia liked Rassendyll more that King Rudolf.

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Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh

Q16. "Prisoner of Zenda" is a tale of romance and adventure? Discuss.

Ans. The story of the novel "The Prisoner of Zenda" is based on adventure and romance. A young man of a rich family
of England comes to visit Ruritania, where he meets the future king of Ruritania. The king arranges a party in his
honour and drinks a lot of wine and falls asleep, and Rassendyll who resembles the king undertakes the assignment to
attend the coronation ceremony in place of Elphberg. A king is imprisoned and his supporters want to free him. For
Rassendyll, it was an adventure and he wants to bring the real King back to the throne.

On the other hand, this is also a story of romance. Flavia, the princess of Ruritania is the symbol of romance in the
novel. She’s a lonely and gentle soul who is loved dearly by the people of Ruritania. She deeply falls in love with
Rudolf Rassendyll. Similarly Madam Mauban is in love with Black Michael and countess Helga is beloved of Fritz.
In this sense, it can be said that "The Prisoner of Zenda" is a story of adventure and romance.

Q17. The writer has been more faithful to the Male Character in the Prisoner of Zenda? Do you agree? Give
reasons.

Ans. The Prisoner of Zenda, is a novel of adventure and intrigue. There is a good deal of bloodshed in it and the reader
many times feels that there is a certain, amount of false hood and unnaturalness about the story. In such and atmosphere
it is very difficult for a woman character to play role in the novel. This is the reason that none of the woman Characters
of the novel are fully drawn even princess Flavia, lady Mauban and countess Helga are also no exceptions. Their
characters are only partially drawn. They are drawn in sections and behave like their counterparts in actual life. It is
therefore agreed that the writer has been more faithful to the Male Characters in the Prisoner of Zenda

Q18. Heaven does not always make the right men kings!" said Sapt. Do you think Rassendyll deserves to be the
king of Ruritania? If so, why?

Ans. In his role as the king, Rudolf Rassendyll is far more impressive than the real king Rudolf Elphberg. He carries
out his duties as a king majestically and tactfully without revealing his true identity. People love him, and none cares
to find out whether he is the real king or not. Within a few days he makes for himself a place in their hearts. On
considering his qualities, Colonel Sapt likes him and he wants that he works as the king, but he is loyal to his state.
Due to best qualities of Rudolf Rassendyll, he deserves to be the king of Ruritania.

Q19. De Mauban plays a very significant role in the novel "The Prisoner of Zenda", Comment. What role does
Madam De Mauban play in the novel?

Ans. Madam De Mauban is a, rich, handsome and ambitious widow. She is a graceful, fashionably dressed French
lady. She has no political interest, but her ambition to fascinate Black Michael involves her completely in the intrigues
and counter intrigues.

She has been a fellow traveler of Rudolf Rassendyll. Standing in one of the balconies on the coronation day, she is
astonished to see Rudolf Rassendyll in shape of the king, but she does not do anything. Next, Black Michael compels
her to write a letter to Rudolf Rassendyll and invites him alone in the Summer House. Michael deputes three ruffians
to kill him there. De Mauban saves Rudolf Rassendyll from this devilish scheme of Michael. She loves Black Michael,
but she helps Rudolf Rassendyll. She is shifted to the castle of Zenda along with Black Michael. The Duke decides to
invite Princess Flavia in order to trap her there. She immediately writes a letter to Princess Flavia and informs her and
forbids her to accept the invitation of Black Michael. She is the only female in the castle of Zenda. She sends a message
to Rudolf Rassendyll through Johann to rescue the king as he was about to die. Thus, Madam De Mauban helps
Princess Flavia and Rudolf Rassendyll in order to save the real king of Ruritania.

Q20. Between Black Michael and Rupert of Hentzau which character strikes you as more devilish? Give
reasons.

Ans. Black Michael is the more, devilish character than Rupert of Hentzau in Anthony Hope’s novel "The Prisoner of
Zenda". Rupert of Hentzau is a leading member of Black Michael gang of ruffians (six men). He is very ambitious.

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Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
He kills Black Michael only to get Mauban. He is fond of wine and women. He is very sharp both at his tongue and
sword.

Black Michael is by nature a schemer, and all the time his mind remains busy in making plots for establishing his right
to the throne. He invites the king to his forest lodge and imprisons him. He is a cruel man. He makes several plots to
kill Rassendyll at the Summer House and at many other places. He is a traitor because he wants to capture the throne
of Ruritania. He is not a courageous man. He never tries himself to kill the enemy. He always sends his six villains
"The hired guns” to deal with his enemies. He is also lustful towards women. He promises Mauban to marry her. But
now, he is after Flavia only to get the throne. He imprisons the poor widow. He is extremely selfish, cunning and
ambitious.

Rupert of Hentzau only takes pride on his strength, but Black Michael makes schemes to deal with his enemies, so he
is a more devilish and hateful character. We begin to hate him as soon as his evil nature is exposed to us and our hatred
is intensified with the advancement of the story. When he is killed, we do not feel any sympathy for him; he is rightly
punished for his wickedness.

Q21. Relate how Sapt and Fritz frustrated Michael’s plot to seize the throne for himself.

Ans. Colonel Sapt and Fritz both persuaded and guided Rudolf Rassendyll to work as the king. They took him as the
king at the time of coronation of the king. Later Sapt, Fritz and Rassendyll worked together and tried to release the
real king from the prison of Black Michael. Thus, they prevented Black Michael from achieving the throne.

Q22. Antoinette de Mauban betrayed Black Michael rightly. Discuss.

Ans. Antoinette de Mauban is a rich and ambitious widow. She is a graceful, fashionably dressed French lady. She is
educated and sophisticated lady and moves in the highest circle of the Paris society. She had no political interest, but
her ambition to win Black Michael involves her completely in the intrigues and the counter intrigues. She has come
to Strelsau to safeguard her own interest. She loves Black Michael above her head and soul, but she knows very well
the intention of Black Michael, who wants to be the king of Ruritania and he can realize his dreams by attracting
Princes Flavia. She clearly tells Rudolf Rassendyll:

"Say, I am Christian or say I am jealous.

May God shall I see him marry her".

Madam de Mauban has great courage, determination and will power but participation in the struggle for succession is
based upon personal aims and motives. When she sees that Black Michael is neglecting her, then she betrays him and
tells everything about his devilish plot to Rassendyll.

Q23. Colonel Sapt’s wisdom and loyalty save the king and throne of Ruritania
OR
Colonel Sapt’s Wisdom made it impossible for Black Michael to get the throne of the Ruritania. Elucidate.

Ans. Colonel Sapt is an old and experienced soldier. He is a brave man. He has got a highly fertile and productive
mind. Most of the scheme and plots for the safety of the real king in the novel are the creation of his mind. He possesses
a very sharp mind. He encounters difficult situations with the wisdom of an old military man. He makes quick decision
on all occasions and saves Rassendyll from danger and helps in rescuing the real king. Hence, we can say that Colonel
Sapt’s wisdom made it impossible for Black Michael to get the throne of Ruritania. Sapt is a faithful servant. He
always tries for the betterment of the king. He admits that Rassendyll is a better man to rule over the country, but he
does not let him even stay in the country after the freedom of the king.

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Q24. "Before God, You’re the finest Elphberg of them all" who is being referred to in the quoted lines and
why?

Ans. In these quoted lines Rudolf Rassendyll is being referred to because he has the fine characteristics of an Elphberg
like red hair and long nose, Due to his resemblance he works as an impostor in Ruritania in place of the real king.

Q25. Elaborate the chapter "If Love Were All".

Ans. If Love Were All:

In this chapter, Rudolf Rassendyll was present in the castle of Zenda. He paid a short visit to the ailing king who was
still in under treatment. He was waiting for his companions to arrive on the scene so that the king might be taken to
safety. Just then the king’s party arrived at the scene and made necessary preparations to rescue the king. They
succeeded in taking away the unconscious king. Rassendyll had fainted on account of his wounds and knew nothing
of what was happening. Captain Fritz made an arrangement of a meeting between Rudolf Rassendyll and Princess
Flavia. Princess Flavia showed her great affection and love to Rassendyll. She said,

1. "Honour binds a woman too, Rudolf. My honour lies in being true to my country and my house. I don’t know why
God had let me love you; but I know that I must stay!"
2. "Your ring will always be on my finger, your heart in my heart. But you must go and I must stay. Perhaps I must
do what it kills me think doing".

Thus, in their short meeting, both Rudolf Rassendyll and Princess Flavia agreed that they must sacrifice their love for
the people of Ruritania. After that short meeting with Princess Flavia, Rudolf Rassendyll went towards the station
with Sapt and Fritz. Both Sapt and Fritz said good bye to Rassendyll with great affection.

Q26. "Michael clever, cunning and cruel but a coward". Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans. Black Michael is a clever, cunning and cruel person. He is not a courageous man. He never tries himself to kill
the enemy. He always sends his six villains "The Hired Guns" to deal his enemies. on not a single occasion, he is
present to give face-to-face fight. He only faces Rupert alone and fights with him over Mauban and is killed without
any hard fight.

Q27. Why did Duke Michael Kidnap the King?

Ans. Duke Michael kidnapped the king. He wanted that the king could not reach at the place, of coronation in time.
He gave him drugged wine, the king became senseless and he kidnapped him. If the king could not reach for the
coronation, the throne would be given to Black Michael but it was bad luck of Black Michael that Rassendyll reached
there and ruled in the place of the king.

Q28. How do you rate "Prisoner of Zenda" as a novelette?

Ans. Prisoner of Zenda is in fact a romantic tragedy. Rudolf Rassendyll falls in love with Princess Flavia. Rudolf
Rassendyll and Princess Flavia both acted nobly. Although Madam de Mauban loved Black Michael, she told
everything about his devilish schemes to Rassendyll.

The novel is a mixture of adventure, melodrama and romance. The king is kidnapped but is rescued by the hero after
a long struggle. The hero achieves success through his bravery and intelligence. All the incidents show that "The
Prisoner of Zenda" is a novel of adventure, jealousy, romance and loyalty.

Q29. What part does the castle of Zenda play in the novel?

Ans. The castle of Zenda was the real property of Black Michael. It was made quite safe by the moat and drawbridge.
The king was imprisoned in the castle of Zenda and all the efforts were made to release the king from this castle of
Zenda.

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The Prisoner of Zenda Questions & Answers
Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh

Q30. What was the Jacob’s ladder? Give an account of the first attempt of Rassendyll at it?

Ans. The king of Ruritania was imprisoned in the castle of Zenda. The Duke Michael had connected the king’s room
to the moat through a big pipe. This pipe was of earthen ware. It was so large that a man could easily slip through it
from the room to the moat. It was called by Rupert as Jacob’s ladder. The Duke had ordered the guards that whenever
an attempt was made to liberate the king, they should kill him, tie a weight to his body and throw it through the pipe
down into the moat. The murderers could also escape through the Jacob’s ladder similarly. Rassendyll got full
information from Johann about the king’s room. When Rassendyll, Sapt and Fritz took some soldiers and went towards
the castle. Rassendyll swam across the moat whereas his companions waited at the bank. He came to the Jacob’s
ladder. He saw a guard sleeping there. He killed the guard and then, he surveyed the pipe thoroughly. He got into the
boat and rowed towards the bank. He reached at the gate of the castle where he fought with three armed man. This
was his first attempt at the Jacob’s ladder.