The Prisoner of Zenda السيد المعداوى

hehiaschool · #1 20-07-2012, 08:30 AM

At a glance:
• First Published: 1894
• Type of Work: Novel
• Type of Plot: Adventure
• Setting: Ruritania
• Characters: Rudolf Rassendyll, Lady Rose Burlesdon, Rudolf, Michael, Duke of Strelsau, Antoinette de Mauban, Princess Flavia, Rupert Hentzau, Fritz von Tarlenheim, Colonel Sapt
• Genres: Long fiction, Adventure, Novel
• Subjects: Politics, Love or romance, Nineteenth century, Courage, Friendship, Good and evil, Kings, queens, or royalty, Loyalty, Moral conditions, Castles, Drinking or drunkenness, Kidnapping, Honor, Impostors or imposture
• Locales: Ruritania (fictive)
The Story:
To his sister-in-law, Lady Rose Burlesdon, Rudolf Rassendyll is a great disappointment. In the first place, he is twenty-nine years old and has no useful occupation. Second, he bears such a striking resemblance to the Elphbergs, the ruling house of Ruritania, that for Rose he is a constant reminder of an old scandal in which her husband’s family was involved. More than one hundred years before, a prince of the country of Ruritania had visited England and had become involved with the wife of one of the Rassendyll men. A child was born who had the red hair...
The Prisoner of Zenda – Chapter Summaries
THE PRISONER OF ZENDA
CHAPTER SUMMARIES
CHAPTER 1 Rudolf Rassendyll
Rudolf Rassendyll’s sister-in-law, Rose, urges him to do something useful with his life. Lord Burlesdon, Rassendyll’s brother, tells Rassendyll that he has found him a job as an attaché to Sir Jacob Borrodaile, an ambassador to Ruritania. As the job will only start in six months, Rassendyll decides to attend the Coronation of King Rudolf the Fifth, which is to take place in Strelsau, Ruritania
CHAPTER 2 Rassendyll Arrives in Zenda
Rassendyll leaves for Ruritania by train. He meets his friend George in Paris. George tells him about Antoinette de Mauban who is also travelling to Ruritania on the same train. The Coronation has sbeen brought forward. Rassendyll is unable to get a room to stay in Strelsau. He decides to spend the night at an inn in Zenda, a small town about fifty miles from the capital. He hears about the King, Duke Michael/Black Michael and Princess Flavia, and the fight for the throne. Johann, Duke Michael’s forest guard, tells Rassendyll that both Rassendyll and the King have red hair.
CHAPTER 3 Rudolf Rassendyll Meets King Rudolf the Fifth
The next morning, Rassendyll takes a walk in the forest. He meets Colonel Sapt and Fritz von Tarlenheim. They serve King Rudold and are loyal to him. They tell him that he looks exactly like their king except that he has a beard. At that moment King Rudolf appears. He is stunned by the resemblance between himself and Rassendyll. The King invites Rassendyll to the hunting lodge where he is staying. They have dinner and a few drinks. Josef, a faithful servant of the King,walks in with a bottle of wine, a gift from Duke Michael. The King finishes the wine all by himself.
CHAPTER 4 Rassendyll Becomes Rudolf the Fifth
The next morning they discover that the King has been drugged. The drug was in the wine sent by Duke Michael. Since both the King and Rassendyll look alike, Sapt suggests that Rassendyll takes the place of the King and attends the Coronation. Fritz thinks it is a good idea too. Rassendyll agrees to take the King’s place.
CHAPTER 5 Rassendyll Arrives in Strelsau to Be Crowned
Rassendyll shaves his beard and wears the King’s uniform. The King is hidded in a cellar and Josef is to look after him. The old woman who cooked or them is tied up and left in another cellar. They take the train to Strelsau. Several ministers and the head of the Army of Ruritania are introduced to Rassendyll. No one realizes that he is not the real King. The Coronation procession begins
CHAPTER 6 Rassendyll Is Crowned King Rudolf the Fifth
The people of the New Town give the King a rousing welcome. There is hardly any trouble in the Old Town. Rassendyll rides bravely down the streets and wins the hearts of the townspeople. The procession stops at the Cathedral for the Coronation. Rassendyll is crowned King. Then Rassendyll meets Black Michael and Princess Flavia for the first time. The Princess tells him that she finds him rather different.

CHAPTER 7 Where Is the King?
Black Michael leaves for Senda. Both Sapt and Rassendyll also leave for Zenda .They use a secret passage to leave the Palace. They ride towards Zenda. Along the way they see Duke Michael and Max Holf [Johann’s brother] ride towards the Castle. At the lodge Rassendyll and Sapt find the cook missing and Josef dead. The King is missing too.

CHAPTER 8 Rassendyll Must Return to Strelsau as King
Sapt realizes that Duke Michael has captured the King. Sapt tells Rassendyll that he has to continue playing the part of the King until the King is saved. Eight of Black Michael’s men arrive to bury Josef’s body. Sapt and Rassendyll attack and kill three of them.A bullet hits Rassendyll’s hand injuring one of this fingers.
CHAPTER 9 The Famous Six
Rassendyll and Sapt reach Strelsau safely. Rassendyll carries out the King’s duties. Fritz informs them that Black Michael is back in Strelsau. Only three of Black Michael’s Famous Six are with him. Sapt believes that the King is alive and that the rest of the Famous Six are guarding him. Rassendyll leaves for an appointment with Princess Flavia.
CHAPTER 10 Rassendyll Meets Black Michael and Three of the
Famous Six
Rassendyll and Fritz ride off to Princess Flavia’s house.Rassendyll realizes that he is love with the princess. He knows that it is wrong as he is not the true King. Princess Flavia is pleased to meet Rassendyll, unaware that he is not the real King. Duke Michael also calls on the Princess. Rassendyll makes Duke Michael angry when he unknowingly kept Duke Michael waiting to see the Princess. Duke Michael introduces Rassendyll to the three men who are part of the Famous Six – Bersonin, De Gautet and Detchard .
CHAPTER 11 A Kind of Tea-party
Sapt informs Rassendyll that the King is being held prisoner in Zenda Castle. Rassendyll receives a letter from Antoinette de Mauban. She wants him to meet her as she has information that might save him. Rassendyll meets Antoinette. She says that Duke Michael forced her to write the letter. She tells Rassendyll about the Duke’s plan to take over the throne and marry Princess Flavia. She urges him to leae at once because three of the Famous Six are on their way there to kill him. They arrive and a fight breaks out. Rassendyll escapes unhurt.

CHAPTER 12 The Marriage Will Shortly Take Place
The next afternoon, Sapt informs Rassendyll that the Duke, his three men and Antoinette have left the city for Zenda. During a dance that night , both Rassendyll and the Princess confess their love for each other. Rassendyll realizes that she really loves him – Rudolf Rassendyll- and not the King. He wants to tell the Princess the truth but Sapt stops him. The news about the proposal spreads. The people are happy and they cheer for the couple.
CHAPTER 13 Love or Honour?
Rassendyll feels torn between his love for Flavia and being honourable to the King. He decides to rescue the King. Rassendyll, Sapt and Fritz head to Zenda with ten other men.Sapt spreads the news that they are going hunting near Zenda. Before leaving, Rassendyll tells Marshal Strakencz to help rule the country until Princess Flavia is crowned Queen if anything happens to the King. Rassendyll and his men leave for the Castle of Tarlenheim.
CHAPTER 14 Rassendyll Revisits the Inn in Zenda
Duke Michael sends three of his Famous Six, the Ruritanians, to visit Rassendyll at the Castle. Rassendylolo meets Rupert of Hentzau for the first time. Rassendyll goes to the inn in Zenda with Fritz. He reveals himself as the AKing to the daughter of the innkeeper. He asks her to tell Johann to meet her at the bridge just outside Zenda at ten o’clock the next night. Sapt warns Rassendyll to be careful. Bernenstein was shot because he was mistaken for Rassendyll.

CHAPTER 15 Rassendyll Narrowly Escapes Death
Rupert of Hentzau brings a message from the Duke. Duke Michael offers Rassendyll a hundred thousand pounds to leave Ruritania.Rassendyll refuses the offer. Rupert stabs Rassendyll wih a dagger. He wounds Rassendyll on the left shoulder. Rupert escapes. Johann is caught.He tells Rassendyll about the King’s whereabouts in the old Castle and the danger the King is in if the castle is attacked. Rassendyll, Sapt and Fritz decide that something has to be done quickly.
CHAPTER 16 Murder in the Moat
Johann reports that the King is ill and growing worse every day. Rassendyll, Sapt, Fritz and six men set out for Zenda Castle to rescue the King. Rassendyll goes down into the moat to find a way to rescue the King. He sees Max Holf sleeping in a boat in the moat and kills him. Three of the Famous Six [Rupert of Hentzau, Lauengram and Kaufstein] leave the castle. Rassendyll’s men fire at them. Rupert escapes by jumping into the moat. Lauengram, Kaufstein and three of Rassendyll’s men are killed in the fight. They are not able to help the King that night and they return to the Castle of Tarlenheim.
CHAPTER 17 Rupert of Hentzau and Madame de Mauban
The next morning, Rassendyll and Princess Flavia meet the Chief of Police while riding through the streets of Zenda. He informs Rassendyll that the British Ambassador is looking for a missing person [ Rudolf Rassendyll] . Rassendyll asks Rupert to join forces with him but Rupert refuses. Instead Rupert asks Rassendyll to join him in a plot to kill both the King and the Duke. Antoinette pleads with Rassendyll to rescue her from the Castle.
CHAPTER 18 Rassendyll Makes A Plan
The wedding date is fixed. The King has to be rescued before the wedding. The Duke is furious about the news of the wedding. There are more quarrels among the Duke, Antoinette and Rupert of Hentzau. The King is very ill. A doctor who is attending to the king is also a prisoner at the Castle. Rassendyll plans to rescue the King the next morning.
CHAPTER 19 Rupert of Hentzau Also Makes A Plan
Rassendyll, Sapt and Fritz carry out their plan to rescue the King. Rassendyll sets out alone. He reaches Zenda Castle and climbs down into the moat. Rassendyll sees Rupert in Antoinette’s room.She is angry. Black Michael comes into Antoinette’s room. Rupert leaves. Rupert and De Gautet leave the castle. Then Rassendyll sees Rupert in the moat. Rupert swims in the direction of Antoinette’s room.
CHAPTER 20 Rassendyll Fights Bravely to Save the King
The light goes out in Antoinette’s window and a terrible scream is heard. The Duke and Rupert start fighting in Antoinette’s room. Other men join the fight. Rupert jumps out the window and into the moat. Rassendyll kills De Gautet.He takes the keys from De Gautet and goes to save the King. Rassendyll also kills Bersonin and Detchard .Rassendyll is wounded
CHAPTER 21 Danger for Rassendyll – and Danger for
Rupert of Hentzau
Duke Michael is dead and Rupert is pleased. Sapt and his party reach the New Castle. Antoinette shoots at Rupert but she misses. Rupert runs away. Rassendyll, though very weak, chases after Rupert. Rassendyll attacks Rupert and he almost gets killed. Fritz reaches them in time to save Rassendyll.Rupert escapes.
CHAPTER 22 I Am Not the King
The king is safe. Princess Flavia hears that the King is seriously wounded. She rides to Zenda with the Marshal and some guards. Colonel Sapt meets them half way. Princess Flavia learns the truth about Rassendyll
CHAPTER 23 Honour Must Come Before Love
The King thanks Rassendyll for saving his life and the throne. Fritz takes Rassendyll to see Princess Flavia who is waiting for him in another room. They both know that they have to sacrifice their love for the sake of honour. Rassendyll leaves Ruritania.
CHAPTER 24 The Adventure Is Over
Rassendyll stays for a while in the Alps and then goes back to England. He refuses Sir Jacob Borrodaile’s job offer. He lives a quiet life in the country. He is still in love with Princess Flavia.Once a year he meets Fritz and his wife at a small town outside Ruritania. They talk about old times. Every year Queen Flavia and Rassendyll exchange red roses.
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The Prisoner of Zenda – Overview & Synopsis

General Overview
This novel is about the romantic adventures of Rudolf Rassendyll, a brave English gentleman, whose innocent visit to Ruritania ends in heartbreak and misery for him. During this visit, the people are preparing for the coronation of King Rudolf V. An unexpected event forces him to disguise himself as the King. Duke Michael later kidnaps the King, and Rudolf must help to rescue the King from certain death. Unfortunately Rudolf has fallen in love with Princess Flavia, the fiancée of King Rudolf V. Rudolf struggles between desire and duty, and finally resolves to put honour above love. Rudolf succeeds in saving the king but must leave Ruritania and never to see Princess Flavia again.
Synopsis
The Prisoner of Zenda is a story of adventure and romance. Set in an imaginary country named Ruritania, it is about a rich and handsome young man named Rudolf Rassendyll. Rassendyll looks exactly like the King of Ruritania, King Rudolf the Fifth. While in Ruritania for the Coronation of King Rudolf the Fifth, Rassendyll gets involved in a plot to overthrow the King.

Characters in the Novel
Rudolf Rassendyll
- Rich English gentleman
- Twenty-nine years old
- Well-educated, travels a lot
- Fluent in German and English, good at French
- Good swordsman and horseman
- Falls in love with Princess Flavia
- Looks like King Rudolf the Fifth

Rudolf Rassendyll
________________________________________
King Rudolf the Fifth
- The rightful King of Ruritania
- Waiting to be crowned as King Rudolf the Fifth
- Jovial gentleman and friendly
- Looks like Rudolf Rassendyll

King Rudolf the Fifth
________________________________________
Princess Flavia
- Beautiful Princess of Ruritania
- Cousin of the King to whom she is engaged
- Caring, warm and gentle person
- Loves Rassendyll
- Dutiful and honest

Princess Flavia
________________________________________
Colonel Sapt
- Adviser and friend of the King
- Brave warrior
- Loyal and honourable person
- Concern over the King’s well-being
- Advises Rassendyll on court affairs
- Always around to assist Rassendyll

Colonel Sapt
________________________________________
Fritz Von Tarlenheim
- Adviser and friend of the King
- Brave warrior
- Loyal and honourable person
- Interested in Count Helga and marries her
- Always around to assist Rassendyll
- Meets Rassendyll once a year to exchange news

Fritz Von Tarlenheim
________________________________________
Duke Michael of Strelsau
- Younger brother of King Rudolf the Fifth
- Interested in becoming King
- Has black hair and is called ‘Black Michael’
- Loves Princess Flavia
- Enemy of Rassendyll and the King
- Has six evil followers called The Famous Six

Duke Michael of Strelsau
________________________________________
Antoinette de Mauban
- Rich and beautiful French widow
- Lives in Paris
- Loves Black Michael
- Gives information to Rassendyll

Antoinette de Mauban
________________________________________
Max Hoff
- One of Black Michael men
- Guards the Castle of Zenda
- Is killed by Rassendyll
________________________________________
The Famous Six
- Six loyal followers of Black Michael
- Would kill anyone including the King for the Black Michael
i) Rupert of Hentzau (Ruritanian)
- Leader of the Famous Six
- Cold- blooded killer
- Selfish and wishes to be rich and powerful
- Attempts to kill Rassendyll
- Murders Black Michael in a fight
ii) Lauvengram (Ruritanian)
- Evil person
iii) Kaufstein (Ruritanian)
- Evil person
iv) Detchard (Englishman)
- Evil person
v) Bersonim (Belgian)
- Evil Person
vi) De Gautet (French)
- Evil person

The Famous Six
________________________________________
Other Characters in the novel:
Marshal Strakencz
- Chief of the Ruritanian Army
- Loyal to the King
Bernenstein
- A friend of King Rudolf
- Loyal to the King
Inn- keeper’s daughter
- Helps Rassendyll
- Loyal to the King
Johann Holf
- Brother of Max Hoff
- Black Michael’s forest guard
السيد المعداوى
ههيا ث بنين