Characters In Prisoner Of Zenda - Notes For Teachers

Rudolf Rassendyll ØHe is rich Englishman, age 29 years old. ØWell-educated and intelligent ØDoes not believe in working for a living as he is comfortable with his inheritance and social status. ØFun-loving and adventurous ØCompassionate and kind. ØAgrees to impersonate Rudolf the Fifth to help him save his throne.’ ØA man of honour ØFalls in love with Flavia but sacrifices his love for the sake of the King. ØA brave warrior who risks his life to rescue the King. ØTrue and loyal to the Princess and keeps his promise of being the ‘Queen nadia09

King Rudolf the Fifth ØKing of Ruritania who loves good wine and hunting. ØNot respected by many of his people as he is always abroad. ØCarefree and humorous ØLaughs loudly and easily. ØKidnapped and imprisoned by his brother, Duke Micheal. ØSaved by Rudolf and regains his throne. ØBecomes a more responsible King after his traumatic ordeal. ØMarries Princess Flavia. ØRules Ruritania like a true King. nadia09

Colonel Sapt ØThe King’s chief adviser. ØShort and stout with a grey moustache ØHas a big square and small blue eyes. ØWise , intelligent, shrewd, meticulous and careful. ØDutiful, loyal and faithful to King Rudolf. ØPersuades Rudolf to impersonate the King to save his throne. ØFirm but kind – helps and guides Rudolf in all his formal duties. ØBrave warrior and would not hesitate to sacrifice his life for the King. ØBelieves in fate as he believes it is fates that has sent Rudolf to save the King. ØReminds Rudolf not to be swept by love and honour and duty must surpass personal love. nadia09

Princess Flavia ØBeautiful and charming princess who is engaged to the King. ØCousin to King Rudolf the Fifth. ØObservance and able to notice some differences between Rudolf Rassendyll and King Rudolf but is unaware Rudolf is actually an impersonator. ØFalls in love with Rudolf Rassendyll. ØGentle, sweet and caring. ØWorries welfare.

about

Rudolf’s

safety

and

ØWill not hesitate to go to Rudolf when she hears that he is ill or in trouble. ØAccepts her duty to marry the King and be queen of Ruritania. ØSacrifices her love for Rudolf for the sake of her country. ØStill remembers Rudolf and leaves him a nadia09

Duke Micheal ØAlso known as Black Micheal because of his black hair. ØHalf-brother of Rudolf the Fifth. ØDuke of Strelsau in Ruritania. ØSpends a lot of time with the people. ØPopular among the people and many people want him to be King. ØAmbitious, scheming, cunning, wicked, evil and cruel. ØKidnapped King Rudolf with the intention of killing him. ØHas loyal supporters especially his devoted ‘Famous Six’. ØIs in love with Princess Flavia and wants to marry her. ØIs killed by Rupert of Hentzau who is determined to win Antoinette’s love. ØAntoinette is in love with the Duke who does nadia09

Fritz von Tarlenheim ØAnother of King Rudolf’s right-hand man ØThin and dark. ØLoyal friend and advisor to the King ØHelps Rudolf in his role as the impersonator. ØHelps Colonel Sapt to rescue the King. ØA more unassuming and compared to Colonel Sapt.

quieter

man

ØBrave and daring in rescue mission to save the King. ØIn love with Countess Helga and eventually marries her. ØRudolf spends a happy week in his house outside of Ruritania once a year. ØHe brings a rose from the Queen for Rudolf and similarly brings a rose from Rudolf to the Queen once a year.

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Antoinette de Mauban ØShe is beautiful, tall and dark French widow. ØAbout 30 years old and is deeply in love with the Duke. ØShe is determined because she tries to find a way to stop Duke Micheal from becoming King and therefore marrying Princess Flavia. ØAware of Duke’s wickedness scheme to kill the King.

and

evil

ØBetrays the Duke when she informs Rudolf of the Duke’s plan to kill the King. ØHelps Rudolf to escape from his enemies. ØNot interested in Rupert who loves her. ØChoose to live alone in Paris to grieve for the Duke.

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The ‘Famous Six’

ØThese are the personal bodyguards of the Duke .

ØThey are fearless, ruthless, cruel and will not hesitate to kill. ØThey consist of three Ruritanians and three foreigners. ØThey are involved in the kidnapping of the King. ØThree of them are constantly guarding the King while another three follows the Duke wherever he goes. ØThe Six are 7) De Gautet -> French 8) Bersonin -> Belgian 9) Detchard -> Englishman 10)Ruperf of Hentzau (leader) Ruritanian 11)Lauvengram -> Ruritanian 12)Krafstein -> Ruritanian

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Rupert of Hentzau Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø

The leader of The Famous Six. Young, handsome, brave, reckless and the most wicked of them all. Nearly kills Rudolf. A fine swordsman and brave fighter. A daredevil who likes to get what he wants. Enjoys taking risk and challenging his enemies. Can be courteous when he wants to be. Is greatly in love with Antoinette and challenges the Duke to possess her. Kills the Duke and flees to another place.

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Countess Helga Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø

Princess Flavia’s lady-in-waiting and her trusted friend. Fritz falls in love with her and marries her. Loyal and supportive of her husband and her country. Knows about Rudolf and the Queen but able to keep a secret. Meets Rudolf together with Fritz with messages from the Queen.

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Johann Holf Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø

The forest guard of Duke Micheal. Fears the Duke and is a weak man. Is friendly with the inn-keeper’s lovely daughter. Keep Rudolf informed of the Duke’s evil plan. Tells Rudolf about the King’s condition especially his illness. Able to help Rudolf to plan by providing him details of the layout of the Zenda castle. Not very reliable for he fails to open the castle gates at two o’clock as planned.

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Robert Rassendyll Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø

Al so known as Lord Burlesdon and the elder brother of Rudolf. Comes from a rich and distinguished family. A responsible man who takes his duties seriously. Support his wife’s decision to help find a job for Rudolf. Shows a lot of anxiety and concern when there is no news from Rudolf. Enlists the help of the Chief of Police of Strelsau to look for him.

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Rose Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø

Wife of Robert Rassendyll and sister-in-law to Rudolf. Likes to scold Rudolf for being lazy and not willing to look for a job. Does not like Rudolf’s indifference and carefree attitude. Quite excited when Rudolf tells her he is going to write a book about the Alps. Is worried when they have no news from him.

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Marshal Strakencz Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø

An old general in the Ruritanian army. A tall elderly man often seen in his military uniform. Is waiting at the gates of the railway station to greet the arrival of the King. Alert and very cautious when the Coronation procession approaches Old Town. Reluctant to let Rudolf ride alone even for fifty yards in Old Town as he expects trouble Loyal and trustworthy. Comes to the rescue of Rudolf in Zenda Castle when Sapt asks for help.

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