Prisoner of Zenda: IMEJ

State a moral value that you have learnt from the novel "The Prisoner of Zenda".


I - Identify the needs of the question – What?

M - Make a statement - Based on the Novel Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope Hawkins,
     
      the _____________ that I ______________ is __________________. It is
     
      seen through the character ________________

E - Elaborate on the questions:-
      1. What happened that shows that ?
      2. When did it happen?
      3. Where did it happen?

J - Justify by answering the question - Why do you say that?

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Prisoner of Zenda: IMEJ

Describe the event you think is happy in the novel "Prisoner of Zenda".

I - Identify the needs of the question – What?

M - Make a statement - Based on the Novel Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope Hawkins, the
       _____________ that I ______________ is __________________.

E - Elaborate on the statement by answering these questions: -
      1. Who was involved?
      2. What happened that shows that ?
      3. When did it happen?
      4. Where did it happen?

J - Justify by answering the question - Why do you say that?

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Prisoner of Zenda: IMEJ

Write about the lesson that you have learnt from the novel "Prisoner of Zenda"

I - Identify the needs of the question – lesson learnt – What?

M - Make a statement - Based on the Novel Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope Hawkins, the
      _____________ that I ______________ is __________________.

E - Elaborate on the statement  by answering these questions -
      1. Who was involved?
      2. What happened that shows that ?
      3. When did it happen?
      4. Where did it happen?

J - Justify by answering the question - Why do you say that?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Prisoner of Zenda: IMEJ

Based on the novel "The Prisoner of Zenda" write about a character you think is cruel.

I - Identify the needs of the question – character that is cruel – Who? Duke Michael

M - Make a statement - Based on the Novel Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope Hawkins,
       the character that I think is cruel is Duke Michael.

E - Elaborate on the statement by answering the questions:-
      1. What happened that shows that he is cruel?
      2.  When did it happen?
      3. Where did it happen?

J - Justify by answering the question - Why do you say that he is cruel?



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Good versus Evil in Prisoner of Zenda

The theme of good versus evil is well potrayed in “The Prisoner of Zenda” written by Anthony Hope Hawkins. The good, like Rudolf Rassendyll, King Rudolf  V, Colonel Sapt and Fritz were alive and triumphant. King Rudolf V regained his throne and married the princess, Princess Flavia and she became his Queen. Colonel Sapt and Fritz stayed on as his faithful advisers. Rudolf Rassendyll returned to England with his dreams of Princess Flavia. The evil ones like Black Michael and his followers were killed. Rupert of Hentzau escaped and was able to flee himself from Ruritania.

Prisoner of Zenda: Discussion activities- for teachers

Chapter 1
Before reading
1 Discuss: Talk about the chapter headings. Divide the class into small groups. Students write down as many
types of books as they can think of, e.g. historical, crime, adventure, etc. then, without letting them know the title, write all the chapter headings from the reader on the board. Groups decide what type of book this is and report their thoughts and reasons to the class.

2 Discuss: Put students into pairs. Have them read the Introduction and ask and answer the following questions:
a What is the name of the book that has some of the same characters as The Prisoner of Zenda?
b What did Anthony Hope do before he was an author?
c How long after Hope left Oxford was The Prisoner of Zenda published?
d How old was Hope when he died?
e What is The Heart of Princess Osra about?
f Why did he become Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins?
 

After reading
3 Describe: Have students work in pairs to describe Rudolf Rassendyll. They could list the information they’ve got from Chapter 1. When they are ready, ask pairs to report to the class. Ask them what they think of him. Have them write down what they talked about and keep it for later (Activity 20).
 

4 Discuss: Have students imagine that they are like Rudolf Rassendyll, i.e. a young, well-educated, rich person from a good family. Start a whole-class discussion by asking the following question: What would you like to do if you had six months to do anything you like? Encourage them to give reasons why they want to do this.
 

5 Discuss: Put students into pairs or small groups. Have them discuss the following questions: Rassendyll
says to his brother’s wife, ‘opportunities are duties.’ What do you think he means by this? Do you think this idea will be important to the story?
 

Chapter 2
Before reading
6 Discuss: Talk about castles. Remind them that Rassendyll is planning to walk around in Zenda and see the famous castle there. Put students into small groups. Ask them to think what the castle looks like. Encourage them to use the new vocabulary. Groups can write a short description of the castle or draw a picture. If some groups finished earlier than other groups, ask them to talk about the castles in their country.
 

After reading
7 Discuss: Have students work in pairs to discuss the following: Sapt says to Rassendyll, ‘As a man grows old
he believes more and more in chance. Chances sent you here.’ Do you believe in chance? Do you think chance has had an effect on your life? Later, ask pairs to share their stories with the rest of the class.
 

8 Discuss: Put students into small groups. Give each group the name of one of the characters in the book.
Students write down as many adjectives as they can think of to describe this person. Groups read their words to the rest of the class who must guess the character. Groups then write down what they think of their character so far.

Chapter 3
Before reading
9 Guess: Give students a list of words from Chapter 3, e.g. cellar, train, people in Strelsau, Marshal,
Chancellor, church, ceremony, crown, palace, etc. Then, put students into small groups, and have them
guess what happens in this chapter. Ask each group to share their guesses with the rest of the class. 

After reading

10 Discuss: Remind students that when the procession went into the Old Town, Marshal Strakencz ordered
the guards to be close to the King (Rassendyll). But Rassendyll refused to do so in order to let the people see that the King trusts them. Elicit the answers to the following questions: Do you think it’s wise? What are the good/bad points of this? Students can discuss in small groups.
 

11 Discuss: Put students into pairs. Have them ask and answer the following questions: Have you ever pretended to be someone else? What do you think would be the most difficult part if you were in Rassendyll’s
place?
 

Chapter 4
Before reading
12 Guess: Draw students’ attention to the title of Chapter 4, The secret of a Cellar. Ask them to guess what the secret of a cellar is. Have them think what happened in the cellar while Rassendyll was at the coronation ceremony.
 

After reading
13 Guess: Remind students that Rassendyll and Sapt see Duke Michael and Max Holf on the way to the cellar. Rassendyll says he has reason to know Max Holf well afterwards. Have students guess what this reason could be.
 

14 Role play: Have students work in pairs to role play the following conversation. One student is Duke Michael, the other a messenger telling Michael that the real king has been discovered at the lodge. Have them think about the emotions of Michael and this messenger in advance, so that they can think about what tone of voice to use for the role play.
 

Chapter 5
Before reading
15 Discuss: Put students into pairs or small groups. Elicit the answers to the following questions: Now Rassendyll has to continue acting as king. What kind of difficulty will he have? If you had to act as king, what
would be the most enjoyable/difficult part?
 

After reading
16 Discuss: Have students work in pairs or small groups to discuss the following: How do you think Rudolf and Flavia feel about each other? Why do you think so? Find the sentences that support your opinion.
 

Chapter 6
Before reading
17 Write: Have students go over the description Michael’s famous Six. Write a grid (6 rows × 3 columns) on the board so that the students can use the same format. Number 1–6 in the left-hand column. Ask students to put the names in the second column and the information in the third. Note that they still don’t know the names of the three Ruritanians, so they can leave them blank.
 

After reading
18 Write (continue): Now that students know about the three Ruritanians of Michael’s famous Six, have them
complete the table they started in Activity 17. 

19 Discuss: Put students into small groups. Have them discuss the following questions. When they are ready,
ask each group to report to the class.

• Why do you think Antoinette de Mauban tells Rassendyll about Michael’s plans?
• Which person, do you think, shows himself /herself to be the most honourable in this chapter?
 

20 Discuss: Have students go back to the note they kept in Activity 3. Put students into the same pairs and
elicit the answers to the following question: What do you think of Rassendyll now, compared with what you
thought of him in Chapter 1?
 

21 Describe: Have students work in small groups. Ask each group to decide on a scene in these chapters
that they thought was special in some way – exciting, romantic, silly, etc. The groups then form a tableau –
creating a still picture of that scene. The other groups guess what is happening.
 

Chapter 7
Before reading
22 Retell: Put students into pairs, and have them recount what has happened in Chapter 6.
 

After reading
23 Project: Divide the class into small groups. Ask them to write one of the following newspaper articles:
• a report about the King’s marriage
• a story about the King going to hunt a wild pig
Encourage them to include some additional information, such as a short biography or background information on the King and Princess Flavia, family history, the venue of the wedding, the Castle of Tarlenheim, wild pigs, etc.

24 Discuss: Remind students that Rassendyll says, ‘Every movement we made was, and had to be, quite
public,’ and that he finds it very annoying. Elicit the answers to the following questions: Would you like to be famous? What are the good/bad points? Students can discuss in pairs or small groups.

Chapter 8
Before reading
25 Discuss: In the last chapter, Rassendyll nearly told Flavia he was not the King. Have a whole-class discussion about the following questions:
- If Rassendyll had told her the truth then, what would have happened?
- What do you think Flavia’s reaction would be? What do you think Sapt’s reaction would be?
 
After reading
26 Discuss: Put students into small groups. Have them discuss why Johann fell into the trap. Ask each group
to share their opinions with the rest of the class.

27 Role play: Have students work in pairs to act out the following conversation. Student A is Johann,
Student B is Rassendyll. Discuss the King’s life in the Castle of Zenda, and Michael’s plans for the King.
 
Chapter 9
Before reading
28 Discuss: Now that we know where the King is and what Michael’s plans are. Ask students to come up
with ideas of how to save the King. They can discuss in pairs or small groups.

After reading
29 Write: Put students into small groups. Have them write the official reports on the wound the King
received while hunting ‘wild pigs’. Make sure that it sounds very serious. When they are ready, ask
students to read out the reports, or make a classroom display so that everyone can see other students’ work.

30 Discuss: Have students write down or discuss in pairs: What qualities make Rassendyll seem like a king?

Chapter 10
Before reading
31 Discuss: Talk about Antoinette de Mauban and Rudolf Rassendyll. Tell students that they have something in common. Ask them to think what it is. Students could discuss in pairs or small groups.
 
After reading
32 Role play: Put students into groups of three. Have them act out the conversation among Rassendyll, Sapt and Fritz, discussing Rassendyll’s plan. Each time Rassendyll talks about a part of the plan, Sapt or Fritz should respond with comments, questions, and/or confirmation. Students could write their script in advance if they want to. Give them sufficient time to work on it. Walk around the classroom to monitor each group, and help them if needed.

Chapter 11
Before reading
33 Predict: Have students work in pairs to discuss what will happen in this chapter. Then ask each pair to
share their ideas with the rest of the class.

After reading
34 Retell: Put students into small groups. Have them retell the story in the order of what happened.

35 Role play: Have students work in groups of three.
Student A plays the part of Rupert Hentzau,
Student B Duke Michael, and Student C Antoinette de Mauban. Have them act out the scene where
Michael finds Rupert with Antoinette.

Chapter 12
Before reading
36 Discuss: Have a whole-class discussion by asking the following questions: Do you think the King is dead?
What will happen next?
 
After reading
37 Role play: Put students into pairs and have them role play the following: Two servants who were in
the castle on the night Duke Michael died talk about what they saw.

Chapter 13
Before reading
38 Discuss: Ask students to retell what happened at the end of the last chapter. Discuss what Flavia might say
or do when she becomes conscious again.
 
After reading
39 Discuss: Now we know that Flavia has decided to stay in Ruritania and becomes the wife of the real
King. Ask students if they think she did the right thing or not. They could discuss in pairs or small groups first, and then ask them to share their opinions with the rest of the class.

40 Role play: Have students work in pairs. One student takes the part of Rassendyll, the other of his brother.
Have a conversation where Rassendyll describes Ruritania and his brother asks questions.

41 Project: As a whole class activity, brainstorm ideas for what should be included in a wanted/missing person
poster. Write ideas on the board. Collect together some missing/wanted person posters and show the class. Have students check to see if they have missed anything out. Students work in pairs and design a ‘wanted’ or ‘missing’ poster for Rassendyll or the King. Display the work afterwards.

Prisoner of Zenda: More notes on theme

Mistaken identity: 

The main theme that runs through the book is the age-old fascination with mistaken identity. Rudolf Rassendyll has the same startling red hair and looks as the King of Ruritania. The public accept him as the same person, the enemy knows he is not the king but is unable to display their knowledge for fear of giving away the fact that they have kidnapped the real king. Flavia, the king’s intended, falls in love with Rudolf, thinking he is the king who has suddenly become a person she can love.
 

Love and honour: The other major theme running through the book is the conflict between love and honour. Our hero must choose between his love for the real king’s intended bride, and his honour and loyalty to the king. Rudolf has the opportunity to leave the king languishing towards certain death in the Castle of Zenda, whilst he takes his place as King of Ruritania. But honour and chivalry are the foundations of life in
the romantic mythical country. Rudolf Rassendyll was warmly welcomed by the Victorians, as a hero who gives the impression of being indolent and uncaring, but who becomes a fearless fighter when events demand it. By the end of the book the English gentleman has displayed qualities fit for a king, and shown the real king the way to behave.

Prisoner of Zenda: Question and Answer

What have you learnt from the story?

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.

Prisoner of Zenda: Question and Answer

Give a short outline of Rudolf Rassendyll’s plan to save the King.

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 and before this, the king must be rescued alive.Rudolf informs Sapt of his plan to rescue the King. Sapt will lead his men to the front door of the New Castle. Johann will be there to open the door at exactly two o’clock. Sapt will rush in and seize the servants. If he has to kill, he must do it very quickly with his sword. There mustn’t be any noise. The servants must be tied up. At the same time, Antoinette de Mauban will shout, ‘Help!Help! Michael, help! It’s Rupert of Hentzau!” This is to lure Michael out of his room and straight into Sapt’s hands. Sapt must get the key of the drawbridge from him and let the bridge down.Rupert will most probably come to investigate the commotion. Then Rudolf will be waiting for him at the bridge. Rudolf will kill Rupert, get the keys of the Old Castle, go straight to the king’s room and save the King. He will have to kill Detchard and Bersonin who are guarding the King as well. It is a ‘desperate plan’ but Rudolf himself says, “I was a desperate man.” In order to mislead the enemy, Rudolf orders Tarlenheim Castle, the place they are all staying in to be ‘gay with lights and music that night’. This is to give Black Michael the impression that they are all enjoying themselves at a feast. Then Black Michael will not be expecting an attack on the Old Castle.

Prisoner of Zenda: Question and Answer

Write about a character that you think is brave. Give reasons for your choice.

I choose Rudolf Rassendyll in ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’. He is a rich English gentleman who looks like King Rudolf V, the King of Ruritania, without his beard. The reasons for my choice are as follows:

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.’

Prisoner of Zenda:Question and Answer

Which character in the story do you like the most? Why?

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 given by Rudolf, ‘My beautiful Queen, your ring will always be on my finger, My heart will always be yours.’ The silent exchange of the single stalk of red rose once a year is a constant reminder of their true love for each other, a love that demands great sacrifice.

Prisoner of Zenda: Question and Answer

What is setting? Describe the setting of ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ and write in detail a particular place that has interested you.

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.

The story of ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ is set in an imaginary country called Ruritania, situated somewhere in central Europe, east of Germany and Austria. The background of ancient castles, country lodges, mountains and forests provide a certain romantic allure and charm. The atmosphere of political intrigue pervades as the reader is transported into a world of power struggle and deceit. A particular place that is fascinating to me is the Old Castle in Zenda. The magical quality of the castle is captured through Rudolf’s eyes. On Rudolf’s first visit to Zenda, he feels that he cannot leave Zenda ‘without a visit to its famous Old Castle’. He describes the Castle as one in a ‘fairy story’. It is very old and fierce battles have been fought there long ago. Surprisingly, this ancient castle is not a ruin but still in very good condition. It is surrounded by a moat. Across the moat is a drawbridge. No one can enter the Castle once the drawbridge is drawn except by swimming across the moat. I am drawn to this Castle because it is here that most of the adventures in the story take place. The King is imprisoned in the Old Castle in the room at the end of the drawbridge. In the next room three of the Six are always on guard. A door leads from the King’s room to theirs. Thus, in a second, they can rush out and kill the King,. I can picture in my mind how dangerous it is to try to rescue the King for any sudden attack on the Castle can mean his untimely death.

Prisoner of Zenda: Question and Answer

Write a brief description of ‘The Famous Six’.

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.

Prisoner of Zenda: Question and Answer

Write a short synopsis of ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ and discuss whether you have found the story interesting.

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.

Prisoner Of Zenda: More notes

1. Dangerous situation
In the Prisoner of Zenda, Rudolf Rassendyll faces great danger when he plans to free King Rudolf from his captors. Rassendyll is an ordinary man with no special military or police training. Yet, he feels a strong moral duty to play his part in ensuring that the right king ascends to power. He works together with Colonel Sapt, who is loyal to the king. The king is abducted by his brother, who is a ruthless man, and is guarded by an equally ruthless group of men, known as the Famous Six. Rassendyll first rescue attempt is not successful. His second rescue attempt is, but only after he changes the plan dramatically at the last minute. Both situations are very dangerous and lives are lost.

2. Admirable character
I find Rudolf Rassendyll an admirable character in the novel The Prisoner of Zenda because he is brave and has a strong sense of responsibility and public duty. On several occasions, he risk his life to save the King. Rassendyll does not have special military training or skills to use weapons. But that does not stop him from challenging the Famous Six. Rudolf continues to pursue Rupert even though he is injured and tired. He does all this because he hopes to bring justice to Zenda and to return the country to its rightful leader.


3. The character I like most
The character I like most in ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ is Rudolf Rassendyll. He is adventurous, brave and honourable. In Zenda he risked his life to impersonated king Rudolf V. While impersonating the king, he fell in love with Princess Flavia. However, he knew that her duty to her country was more important than their love. This shows his sense of honour. Their last meeting was very touching and sad.

4. Enjoyed reading the novel
I have enjoyed reading the novel ‘Prisoner of Zenda’. The story is interesting and is about the adventures of Rudolf Rassendyll and how he impersonates King Rudolf V. He went on to save the king and finally part from Princess Flavia, the women he loved. Its message is we should handle crises with courage like Rudolf Rassendyll. He also showed that honour was more important than love. I am so inspired by the honourable nature of these two characters.

5. The Brave character
The character who is very brave is Rudolf Rassendyll. He showed great courage by impersonating King Rudolf V though it was dangerous of doing so. Later, when the king is imprison in then castle, he courageously rescued the king. He fought with the king’s enemies and even got wounded in doing so. His courage paid off when King Rudolf was finally rescued and regained his throne.

6. Theme of honour
The theme of honour is well portrayed in ‘the prisoner of zenda’. Rudolf Rassendyll impersonated King Rudolf V who was kept prisoner in Zenda Castle. He fell in love with Princess Flavia who was betrothed to the real king. But his sense of honour made him feel guilty for he was not the real king. In the end, they agreed to part for, to them, honour was more important than their love. Princess Flavia’s duty to her country must come before her love for Rudolf Rassendyll.

7. Lesson that I have learnt
I have learnt an important lesson from ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’. It is facing challenges with courage and honour. Rudolf knew the danger of impersonating King Rudolf V. Yet, he did it to save the throne from the evil Duke Michael. While playing the part of king, he had fallen in love with Princess Flavia. But he part with her as she had a duty to fulfill for her country. Like him, I have learnt that we must handle problems and challenges with courage and honour.

8. Message of loyalty to its readers
The novel ‘Prisoner of Zenda’ has the message of loyalty for its readers. Colonel Sapt sowed loyalty to his king. It was he who suggested to Rudolf Rassendyll to impersonate the king to save the throne. Later, with Rudolf’s Rassendyll’s help, he helped to rescue the king from the castle. Princess Flavia also showed loyalty to her country by sacrificing her love for Rudolf Rassendyll to marry the king Rudolf V. Like them, we should loyal to our country.

9. Brings attention to the value of love
The novel ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ brings attention to the value of love. While impersonating king Rudolf V, Rudolf Rassendyll fell in love with the beautiful Princess Flavia. She had also fallen in love with him. However, their love was not mean to be, for Princess Flavia was betrothed to the king. In the end, they sacrifices their love for honour and duty. In doing so, Princess Flavia showed that her love for her country was stronger.

10. The title ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ is relevant to the novel
The title ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ is relevant to the novel. The story is about the king of Ruritania who was imprisoned by his evil brother, Duke Michael in Zenda castle. Rudolf Rassendyll who bore a striking resemblance to king Rudolf V impersonated the king. While Rudolf Rassendyll was playing the part of king, King Rudolf V was becoming very ill in prison. Rudolf Rassendyl risked his life to rescue the king who got back his throne.

11. An interesting incident
An interesting incident in the novel ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ was when Rudolf Rassendyll met the king of Ruritania for the first time. For a time, it seemed almost unreal. There was a lot of confusion in this part. This ‘lookalike’ element added intrigue and mystery to the story. It also brought all the earlier questions and riddles to an end. The feeling in this part is like looking at a live image of oneself. I find this is most interesting indeed.

Prisoner of Zenda: Prediction 2009

2009 - Prediction - Could be theme or value/ lessons... but then, some are predicting on setting/ events... so study them..

2008 – Write about an incident that you think is important. Give reasons why you think the incident is important.

2007 – Write about how two characters work together to obtain success. Support your answer with evidence from the text.

2006 – Explain why you like or dislike the ending of the story. Give reasons to support your answer.

2005 – Write on one of the following moral values. Honesty, responsibility. Give evidence from the novel to support your answer.

2004 – Write on one of the themes. Give 2 pieces of evidence from the novel to support your answer.

2003 – Describe an incident that you think is interesting. Give reasons for your choice

2002 – Choose one character that you find interesting. Give reasons why you find that character interesting.

Test yourself:

1. Describe the character of Rudolph Rassendyll at the beginning of the story and after his experience in Ruritania. Does he change? Why or why not?
2. Based on Prisoner of Zenda, write on the moral value of having good and sincere friends. Give evidence to support your answer.
3. Based on Prisoner of Zenda, write on the moral value of hope. Give evidence to support your answer.
4. What have you learnt from the main character of the novel. Give evidence from the text to support you answer.
5. Write about one of the themes in the novel. Give evidence from the text to support your answer.
   

Prisoner of Zenda: Question & Answer - Moral Value

Based on one of the novels you have read, write about the message of loyalty.

In the novel ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’, the message of loyalty is shown through the characters of Colonel Sapt and Rudolf Rassendyll. Colonel Sapt was the adviser to the King. When King Rudolf V was drugged, he asked Rudolf Rassendyll to impersonate the King,, in order to save the throne from Duke Michael. All the while, he stood beside Rudolf Raassendyll, guiding him on the role of a king. He later helped Rudolf Rassendyll by leading a group to rescue the King from the Old Castle. Besides, loyalty is also portrayed through Rudolf Rassendyll’s character, as he did not hesitate to impersonate the King and had risked his life to save the King. He also sacrificed his love for Princess Flavia for the sake of the country and his loyalty to the King. The message of loyalty is indeed clearly portrayed by these two characters.

Prisoner of Zenda: Question & Answer - Moral Value

Based on the novels you have read, write about a lesson you have learnt. Give evidence from the novel to support your answer.

Recommended Outline

• Name the novel you have chosen
• State which character you have chosen
• Give examples from the text (characters or events) that explain the lesson you have learnt.

The novel The Prisoner of Zenda has many valuable lessons. The lesson I have learnt from this novel is that greed for power can lead to a lot of evil and cause a lot of suffering. Duke Michael wants to be King. He sends a bottle of drugged wine to King Rudolf V, so that he cannot attend his own coronation. Duke Michael is even willing to start a civil war in the country, and to murder his own brother to become King. As for Rupert of Hentzau, he wants power and money, as well as Antoinette de Mauban. So, he is most willing to betray Duke Michael and the other men to get what he wants. Thus, we see that greed for power can cause a lot of suffering, especially to the innocent.

Prisoner of Zenda: Question & Answer - Character

Based on the novels you have read, write about how one character can influence another character’s actions. Give evidence from the novel to support your answer.

Recommended Outline

• Name the novel you have chosen
• State which character you have chosen
• Give examples from the text to show how one character can influence another character’s actions.

In the novel The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope, Sapt, who is King Rudolf’s adviser and loyal friend, persuades Rassendyll to impersonate the King by telling him how he looks exactly like the King. Rassendyll agrees to the plan and ends up having to face many dangerous situations. Sapt also tells Rassendyll to return to Strelsau to play the role of the King, who has been kidnapped by Duke Michael, so that they can rescue the king. Sapt pushes Rassendyll to ask Princess Flavia to marry him, although Rassendyl is torn between his love for the Princess and his honour. From these situations, we can see that Sapt has a strong influence on Rassendyll’s actions.

Prisoner of Zenda: Question & Answer - Character

Based on the novels you have read, write on a character you admire. Give evidence from the novel to support your answer.

Recommended Outline

• Name the novel you have chosen
• State which character you have chosen
• Give examples from the text to show why you admire this character.

The character that I admire the most in the novel The Prisoner of Zenda is Rudolf Rassendyll. He is a rich and handsome young man who goes to Ruritania for a holiday. By coincidence, he looks exactly like the King of the Country.

I think that Rassendyll is a very brave man, as he is willing to impersonate the King, who is kidnapped by Duke Michael. He does not run away from dangerous missions and is not afraid to fight anyone to save the King’s life and throne.

In my opinion, Rassendyll is also the most responsible person in the novel. He loves Princess Flavia, but he does not let it get in the way of his duty and responsibility towards the King. In the end, although it is hard for him, he has to leave her and put honour before love. He is truly an admirable character.