The prisoner of Zenda
Revision Model Answers
Chapters 1,2,3,4,5,6&7
1- Why did Rose hate the portrait of Countess Amelia?
At the time of George the second, the king of England and the country was at peace. Since Rudolf the third of Ruritania was visiting England. He stayed for a several months and during that time he fell in love with the Countess Amelia. She was the wife of James the earl of the Burlesdon he was the baron and head of Rudolf's family and a man of some importance. Amelia's husband discoverd the relationship and challenged Rudolf for a duel and after he died. She gave birth to a child from Rudolf.
2- The Castel of Zenda was safe from any attack, Discuss.
Some of the original castle was still standing next to the modern chateau (two buildings). Around the two buildings, there was a deep and wide moat. There was also a drawbridge joining the two buildings together. When the bridge was pulled up, the Castle was safe from attack.
3- Why could the king not be woken?
The King couldn’t be woken as Michael sent him a drugged bottle of wine. The King had drunk it all by himself during his dinner with Rudolf at the hunting lodge.
4- What would happen if the king was not crowned?
If the King should fail to go to the coronation, black Michael would be crowned instead and would also marry princess Flavia. As for the King he as well as his men would be killed by Michael.
5- The city of Strelsau consists of two different parts in everything, Discuss.
The city of Strealsau was made up of two areas the old part and the new part. The new part had wide streets lined with trees, and this was where the upper class people lived. These people liked the new king.
On the other hand, was the old part where the shops and the narrow, filthy path, the people here lived crowded together in dirty, falling down buildings. They were unhappy with their lives and wanted a change. They wanted black Michael to be the king.
6- What happened at the hunting lodge while Sapt, Fritz and Rudolf where at the Coronation in Strelsau?
Michael's men came to the lodge, killed Joseph and freed Johann's mother who told them everything. They arrested the real King and sent a message to Michael saying; “Everything was safe”.
7- Why could neither Sapt nor the Duke say anything about what had happened to the real king?
Michael couldn't say anything about Rudolf without exposing himself and producing the real King while Rudolf couldn't say anything about what happened as the people would accuse him of being an imposer.
8- Write a paragraph about the “six”, explaining who they were and what they did?
They were six gentlemen who were of Michael’s household. There were three Ruritanians, a Frenchman, a Belgian and an Englishman. They would do anything for Michael. They would even kill for him.
9- What did Antoinette de Mauban say to Rudolf in the summerhouse?
She told him that she had written the letter on the Duke’s order and that she knew that his real name was Mr. Rassendyll. She also warned him that there were three men coming within twenty minutes to kill him. They would take his body to the lower quarter of the town, when it was found Sapt and Fritz would be arrested for his death. A messenger would be sent to Zenda where the other three would murder the real King, and then the Duke would proclaim himself a king.
10- What was in the Chief of Police’s report?
He learnt that Michael and his 3 men as well as Madame Antoinette had left for Zenda. Detchared had a banged arm. He also learnt that the people blamed the King for not taking steps about his marriage. The report also said that even Princess Flavia had felt to be deeply offended.
11- “If in six months time, nothing has happened to prevent me then I’ll go with him”, Comment.
Rudolf said these words to Rose when she asked him to work with Sir Jocob Burlesdon, who would be an ambassador in six months. Rudolf decided that during those six months, he would visit Ruritania but he told his family that he was going to The Alps.
12- “They love one another as men do, who want the same position and the same wife”, Comment.
These words were said by the younger daughter of the innkeeper to Rudolf about the Elphberg family. She said that both The King and Michael wanted the same place which was the throne and the same wife who was princess Flavia.
13- “You will have dinner with me tonight. You don’t meet a brother every day”, Comment.
The king said these words to Rudolf when he was inviting Rudolf to dinner at the hunting lodge, when they met for the first time at the woods. Rudolf refused at first and then he agreed as he couldn’t refuse a King’s offer.
14- “The Duke of Strelsau told me to set this wine in front of the king when the king was tired of all other wines”, Comment.
Joseph said these words to the King in front of Rudolf during the dinner at the hunting lodge. Rudolf thought it was the end of the night but Josef (The servant) placed a drugged bottle of wine which had been sent by Duke Michael to his brother, The King.
15- “Some things happen by chance, some do not. When a man grows old he knows the difference. Something bigger than chance sent you here. It sends you now to Strelsau”, Comment.
Sapt said that to Rudolf in the hunting lodge after the King had been drugged. He was trying to convince Rudolf to go to Strealsau to play the King's role. Sapt believed that fate had sent Rassendyll to Ruritania to save the king's life and his throne as well.
16- “Now the King goes to bed. He is tired, no one is to see him until nine tomorrow morning”, Comment.
Sapt said these words to Rudolf and Fritz when they were discussing their plan after the coronation. Sapt and Rudolf were leaving to Zenda and Fritz would stay to guard the king’s room door with his life. No one is allowed to inter the room until Sapt and the King would be back the next morning.
17- “The message said that everything was safe. If it is true, then we will waste time by going to the hunting lodge”, Comment.
Max Holf said these words to Michael when they reached the fork road. Michael thought he heard the sound of horses but Max told him he heard nothing and they should go directly to the Castle. Sapt and Rudolf were hiding and listening. The message was sent to Michael during the coronation and Sapt wanted to know what was in the message and he knew then.
18- “Why have I only loved you since the coronation? I didn’t before”, Comment.
Flavia said these words to Rudolf when she asked him if he love her, he said that he did and asked her if she loved him, sha said that she started loving him since the coronation day. This meant that she loved Rudolf and not the real King (she didn't know).
19- What were Rudolf’s three main rules that included his plan to fight Black Michael?
Rudolf had set up three rules to fight Black Michael. First, he would win the love of the people. Second, he would do nothing in public against Michael. If they had an open quarrel, everyone would say that the King had been good to Michael. Third, He would in fact be Michael’s enemy. At least he could give the Duke some sleepless nights.
20- “Yes, I was playing a game with a mongrel dog, and as you know, brother, they have uncertain tempers”, Comment.
Rudolf said these words to Michael in front of Flavia, when Michael asked him about the wound he had in his hand. Rudolf compared Michael to a mongrel dog, as Michael’s mother came from a common family unlike Flavia and the King who were from pure royal blood. No one would understand what Rudolf really meant by these words but Michael.
21- “Four men around a tea-table, Hahahahaaaa”, Comment.
Rudolf said these to Sapt when he was leaving the summerhouse after the fight he had with the three men of Michael using the tea table to protect his body from their bullets.
22- Describe the fight at the summer house.
At that night, Rudolf went to meet Madame Antoinette as she told him about the three men who were coming to kill him. He closed the lantern (a small lamp carried in hand). Then he saw three dark images moving towards him so, he put his hand on his revolver. A voice came from outside. The man spoke in perfect English as Rudolf knew that he was Detchard. Rudolf saw them climbing the stairs and saw three revolvers pointed at the door. When they walked up to the door, he moved Madam Antoinette close to the wall, out of range of any bullets.Then quickly he picked up a small iron tea table by the legs and held it in front of him. He saw the door move slightly and three revolvers were pointed at him but the three bullets battered into the iron table as Rudolf threw it at them. He ran to the ladder Antoinette told him about and went out of the place laughing and saying “Four men around a tea-table”.
23- “A safe exit to the borders and fifty thousand English pounds”, Comment.
Detchared offered this to Rudolf at the summerhouse before they started the tea table battle. It meant that if Rudolf left the country they'd give him fifty thousand English pounds.
24- “ In twenty-four hours, if he does not produce the King, then the king is dead and you will proclaim the next heir. You know who that is?” Discuss.
Rudolf said these words to Marshal Strackenz. That was during Rudolfis visit the Marshal at his house before he left Zenda. He made a plan in case he failed to save the king that the Marshal would take over the kingdom and then proclaim Princess Flavia the queen of Ruritania and deprived Duke Michael of his position.
Good luck
ابوعايد2012-09-01, 8:11 pm