English 2nd Year Notes
Introduction:
Black Michael, the representative of devil, ES the villain of "The Prisoner of Zenda", written by Anthony Hope. He is the stepbrother of King Rudolf 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 the Castel of Zenda and the surrounding estate. Being the favorite of the late King of Ruritania, he was appointed as the Duck of Strelsau. He is a schemer and evil by nature.
An Ambitious Man of Vivacious Nature:
Black Michael is a man of evil and scornful nature. Being extremely selfish, cunning and ambitious, he is sincere to none but only to his mean motives. He is dissatisfied with his present status and dreams of something above his entitlement. He is so ambitious that he is inclined to kill his half brother, the King. He stoops to meanness and sheer brutality to transform his devilish dream into stark realties. As Johann says about him:
"He is an evil master who is greatly feared"
A Traitor:
Michael is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He wants to capture the throne of Ruritania and for this act of treason and disloyalty he gets the King kidnapped from the shooting lodge and imprisons him in the castle of Zenda. He sends drugged wine and makes the king senseless. He does so just before the coronation ceremony in order to usurp the throne. For such act of betrayal Fritz calls Black Michael;
"That damned hound."
A Conspirator and intriguer:
"Intrigue is the main weapon of a villain and he uses it mercifully." (Bacon) 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. Even Lady Antoinette De Mauban finds herself entangled in his schemes.
Rudolf Rassendyll also mentions it in the course of the novel:
"I had begun to think that Black Michael was over fond of leaving the fighting to his friends; but now I acknowledged that the brains, if not the arms of the conspiracy, were his."
A Cruel and Merciless Person:
Michael is heartless fellow. He has a distorted view of things and is not able to differentiate between right and wrong. The King confides in him but he imprisons the King.(educationsight.blogspot.com) He makes several attempts to kill Rassendyll but fails. When Johann starts acting as an informer to Rassendyll, he lives in the dread of the moment when it would be found out by the Duke. He requests Rassendyll to shield him from the Duke’s vengeance.
"For if after he knows what I have done, I fall into his hands, I shall pray for one thing out of all the world .... A speedy death and that I shall not get from him."
Luck of Self Control:
Duke Black Michael has no control over his passions and desires. He is not one to be able to hide his feelings. His anger, anxiety and guilty feelings always appear on his face. In Rassendyll words:
"The man has many qualities but he could barely conceal his feelings."
A Deceiver in Love:
Black Michael deceives Antoinette De Mauban, a rich widow, by his attention. He gives her the promise of marriage but at the same time he tries to win Princess Flavia so that his .right to the throne becomes stronger and valid. Michael has no trace of grace in his character therefore; his sincerity in love is doubted right from the beginning of the story. As George Fatherly says expressing his apprehension:
"He won’t marry the fair Antoinette --- at least, no unless another plan comes to nothing."
A timid and Weak Person:
Michael is popular among the criminals and villains of Ruritania because he is their patron. They are determined to take Michael to the throne Ruritania in their own interest. In spite of this support and favor, Michael always behaves like a coward. He never dares to face his rival in person. He always sends his six villains "The hired guns" to deal with his enemies.
Humiliated for his Black Deeds:
Michael is not respected by his servants and even by his six ruffians because of his vice elements. A time comes when his closest ally Rupert Hentzau comes out in open rebellion against him. The bone of contention between them is no other than Lady Mauban.(educationsight.blogspot.com) This rivalry proves to be the death knell for Duke Michael who is "dragged down into the mire" and faces untold humiliation.
Rightly Punished for his Wickedness:
In the world, people like Black Michael are able to achieve only a partial success and the fate of Michael fully proves that deception and fraud can bring neither prosperity nor honour. He is consequently killed by Rupert and meets his fatal end because of his evil deeds.
Conclusion:
Michael is killed by his own hireling as:
"And the first door they came was the door of Michael’s room; and Michael lay dead across the threshold, with a sword thrust through his breast."
That is how finally a devil is given his due. His death does not arouse the feelings of sympathy for him Infect; he is rightly punished for his wickedness.
English 2nd Year Notes Introduction: Black Michael, the representative of devil, ES the villain of "The Prisoner of Zenda", writt...
English 2nd Year Notes
Q1. Describe the meeting of the two distant cousins?
OR
Describe how to 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 becomes 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 swan across the moat. He hid near the pipe-coming out of the window of the king’s room. The drawbridgw 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.(educationsight.blogspot.com) 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 exiting I 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 for ever. 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 that 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 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 get out of the Summerhouse over the wail. 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 very 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 with the King. The King invites him to stay with him. Thus he is very good man. When the real king does not come into senses early in the morning, he accepts the request of Col. Sapt to impersonate the King just to save the kingdom of Ruritania. Princess Flavia loves him, 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.(educationsight.blogspot.com) When 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 the King Rudolf when he appeared for the coronation.
Rassendyll reached the church for the coronation in procession 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 in 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.(educationsight.blogspot.com) Michael had imprisoned the king in the cast at Zenda. Thus the novel preogresses because Michael and Rassendyll must be silent before the people about each other.
Q7. How did Princes 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 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 so sad that she failing toward and had 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 (high hopes of success) 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 of country and the king. She sacrificed love to duty. She took the right step at the 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 surprise 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. He called Rassendyll his cousin came to him and pasted him on the back. Then he asked Rassendyll to excuse him for not recognize him soon.
King Rudolf asked Rassendyll where he was going. Rassendyll said that he was going to Strelsau, to attend the king 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. Cot. Sapt and Rassendyll wanted to save the life of King Rudolf. They had left him at the shooting 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 secretary 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.
Rassendyll and Sapt reached the shooting lodge of Michael in the forest. There they found handkerchief with which they had earlier tied and old women. They had left the king under the charge of Josef (The King’s servant) when they had left Zenda.
Rassendyll and Sapt searched for the king in the small rooms there. 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 lode. 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 shooting 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 decided to 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 king’s room. There was only one entrance to this room from an inner room. Three strong men Michael were always on guard. There was large pipe going 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 bell 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 bell in honour of Flavia.
The bell 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 it he put a ribbon with jewels around the neck of the princess. The people started sheathing enjoy over this Sapt and Fritz enjoyed the sense very much. Then the remaining supper was taken in silence. After it was over into a small room. There coffee was served to them. Flavia sat down and Rassendyll stood before her, He liked her much she asked him it 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 love Flavia and wanted to marry her.
Q13. Narrate the events that took place on the occasion of the visit of Rassendyll to the chateau of Tarienheim?
OR
Briefly describe the events that led to a fight between Black Michael and Rupert of Hentzau? OR
Describe the interview between Rupert of Hentzau and Rassendyll in the ground of the Tarienheim estate when Rassendyll was wounded by Rupert?
OR
Give an account of Rupert’s attempt on Rassendyll life at Tarienheim?
Ans. Rassendyll’s Sapt and Fritz and ten reliable persons with them went to the chateau of Tarienheim with them went to the chateau of Tarienheim. 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.
Michael had made are attempt on the king’s life. He had also imprisoned a friend of the king in the castle of Zenda. Rassendyll and his men wanted to save the king and the king’s friend. 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 hi ten gentlemen had been wounded by Michael’s man.
The next morning Rupert Hentazu had an interview with Rassendyll the ground of the chateau of Tarienheim. Rupert said that Michael would pay Rassendyll a million crown if he left Ruritania. Rassendyll at once refuse 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 persuist of Rupert by Rassendyll and their flight.
Ans. Rassendyll have 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 lied to the bank of the moat, earlier left these by Rassendyll. He took hold of it and climbed to the bank. He stood there with his sword. Rassendyll also reached the rope but was afraid of reaching the bank. The 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 horse from girl. He rode it and began to come towards Rassendyll. The 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 check. 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 has a revolver. Rupert saw him. Then saying "Good bye" he started running away, Fritz fired at him but his short 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 were the King’s clothes and went to Strelsau every one look him to be the real king. At the coronation and on other occasions Rassendyll was taken as the king.
Rassendyll’s behavior and talk must have resembled those of king Rudolf. They must been loving the same kinds of way. That is why others not knowing their secrets could not find the truth about them.
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 moustaches 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. He took every precaution to his face which Rudolf did not have. His face was slightly thinner and more serious than that of Rudolf defeat the plan of Michael.
Rassendyll invited dangerous and faced them 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.
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 rich family of England, comes to visit Ruritania where he meets with the future king of Ruritania. The king arrange a party in his honour and drinks a lot of wine and falls asleep and Rassendyll who resembles in feature with the king under takes 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 who 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 is lonely and gentle soul who 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 blood shed 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 the none of the woman Characters of the novel are fully drawn even the princess Flavia, lady Mauban and countess Helga are also no exceptions. Their characters are only partially drawn neither of the women character are full fledge woman. They are drawn in sections and behave like their counter parts 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 deserve 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 wether he is the real king or not. Within few days he makes for himself a place in their hearts. On considering his qualities Colonel Sapt liked him and he wanted that he worked as the king but he was loyal to his state. Due to best qualities of Rudolf Rassendyll, he deserved to be the king of Ruritania.
Q19. De Mauban played a very significant role in the novel "The Prisoner of Zenda", Comment. What role Madam De Mauban play in the novel?
Ans. Madam De Mauban is a widow, rich, handsome and ambitious. She is a graceful, fashionably dressed French lady. She had no politic interest but her ambitions to fascinate Black Michael, involves her completely in the intrigues and the counter intrigues.
She has been fellow traveler of Rudolf Rassendyll. She is 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 any thing. Next, Black Michael compels her to write a letter to Rudolf Rassendyll and invites him alone in the Summer House, He 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 but he holds a unique position between the forces of good and evil. He is very ambitious. He killed. 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 Summer House, at the palace of Princess Flavia 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 the women. He promises to 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 her strength but Black Michael makes scheme to deal with his enemies so he is 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 sympathety for him, he is rightly punished for his wickedness.
Q21. How is Rudolf Rassendyll trapped to impersonate as king Rudolf?
Ans. Rudolf Rassendyll had a great resemblance with the king. He had to shave off his beard and appeared at the coronation in place of Rudolf Elphberg. So Rudolf, Sapt and Fritz got a train for strelsau. The train reached there an hour earlier than the fixed time. The information was sent to the city. Soon high officials of the state reached at the station to welcome the king. Sapt kept on whispering the names of officers and Rudolf Rassendyll as the king met them with confidence. No body could suspect that the king was, not real. Even countess Flavia who was to marry the king was not able to notice the replacement.
Q22. 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, Thus Rassendyll trapped to impersonate as 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.
Q23. Antoinette de Mauban betrayed Black Michael rightly. Discuss.
Ans. Antoinette de Mauban is a widow, rich and ambitious. 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 realizes 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 and Flavia.
Q24. 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 real king in the novel are the creation of his mind. He possesses a very sharp mind He encounters difficult situation with wisdom of an old military man. He makes quick decision on all occasion 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 men to rule over the country, but he does not let him even stay in the country after the freedom of the king.
Q25. "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 because he has fine characteristics of Elphberg like red hair and long nose, Due to his resemblance he works as an impostor in Ruritania in place of the real king.
Q26. 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 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.
Q27. "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.
Q28. 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.
Q29. How do you rate "Prisoner of Zenda" as a novelette?
Ans. Prisoner of Zenda is infect a romantic tragedy. Rudolf Rassendyll falls in love with Princess Flavia. Rudolf Rassendyll and Princess Flavia both acted nobly. Madam de Mauban though she loved Black Michael but she told everything about his devilish schemes to Rassendyll and Flavia.
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.
Q30. What part does the castle of Zenda play in the novel?
Ans. The castle of Zenda was the real property of Black Michael. Pt was made quite safe by the mechanical bridges. The king was imprisoned in the castle of Zenda and all the efforts were made to release the king from this castle of Zenda.
Q31. 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 three 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.
English 2nd Year Notes Q1. Describe the meeting of the two distant cousins? OR Describe how to Rudolfs met in the forest of Zenda? Ans. ...