English 2nd Year Notes
Introduction:
Antoinette De Mauban is an attractive and mysterious character of ‘The Prisoner of Zenda", written by Anthony Hope. She is not a Ruritanian by birth and has come to Ruritania from France. She plays a very important role in the Political crisis of Ruritania and attracts our attention whenever she appears on the scene.
Appearance:
She is a year or two over thirty, tall, dark and pretty. She is a widow, rich, handsome, graceful, fashionable and according to repute, ambitious. She is a cultured and educated lady.
Selfish and Ambitious:
Madam Mauban is a selfish lady. She wants to gain high reputation. Her ambitions are to acquire a place in the royal family of Ruritania. So, she fells in love with the Duke of Strelsau. She tries her best to adjust herself in the royal family. When she comes to know that Black Michael intends to kill the king and marry Princess Flavia, just to secure the access to the throne, she turns against the plans of Black Michael. She informs Rudolf Rassendyll to be careful and saves him in Summer House, not because she loves Rassendyll, but to protect her own interests. She says to Rassendyll in the Summer House.
A Lover:
She loves Black Michael. It is her love for Michael, which keeps her busy in intrigues and counter-intrigues. When she meets the imprisoned king, she feels pity for him, but her loves for Black Michael does not reduce. Rupert tries hard to gain her favour, but she is loyal to Black Michael. At last, when Rupert Kills Black Michael, she becomes half-mad and tries to kill Rupert.
A Kind-Hearted:
Woman although, she is selfish but bears a kind heart. When she sees the king in imprisonment, her heart moves much. She took pity on king and helps Rassendyll in planning to rescue ‘the king. She hates cruelty.
An Apple of Discord:
She is possesses a large amount of personal charm and attraction, ultimately she becomes an apple of discord between Michael and his companion Rupert. This discord finally results in the death of Michael.
A Woman With Solid Pledge:
Madam Mauban is a Woman of solid pledge. After the death of Black Michael and the end of political crisis, she leaves Ruritania and returns to Paris. Rassendyll fears that she may disclose the secret of the prisoner of Zenda. So he writes a letter to her.(educationsight.blogspot.com) In reply he receives a very affecting letter, in which she assures him that the King’s generosity and kindness is no less than a regard for her, her conscience is an absolute secrecy.
Conclusion:
There is really something good about her, which makes people her friends and helpers. She is really a good woman, who is placed in trying circumstances. After the death of Michael, she returns to Paris and withdraws herself entirely from society.
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