The Prisoner of Zenda 4 5 by Anthony Hope 6

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3 The Prisoner of Zenda 4 5 by Anthony Hope 6

UPPER S U M M A R Y INTERMEDIATE

he Prisoner of Zenda was first published in April Somerville. They fell in love and were married in the T 1894, and received immediate acclaim as an summer of that year. exciting, adventurous romance. Three film versions They had two sons and a daughter and lived in rural of the story have been made, in 1937, 1952 and 1979, and Surrey. Hope was knighted in 1919 for his work during the hundreds of thousands of copies of the book have been First World Wa r, when he wrote pamphlets to off s e t sold. The hero of the book, Rudolf Rassendyll, is a true German propaganda. Hope died in 1933. English gentleman who has too much money and no motivation to work. He decides to visit the mythical country of Ruritania to watch the coronation of its King. While BACKGROUND AND THEMES walking in the Forest of Strelsau he meets the king and discovers that he is his double. The king’s evil brother, The Prisoner of Zenda was published towards the end of Michael, wants the throne for himself. He drugs his the Victorian era which stretched from the Coronation of c a re f ree, fun-loving brother on the night before the Queen Victoria in 1837 to her death in 1901. The Victorian coronation. Rudolf saves the day by becoming ‘king’ so age was a time of great change. The Industrial Revolution that the coronation can take place, but Michael takes the brought about the rapid development of industry, railways, real king prisoner in the forbidding fortress at Zenda. It c o m m e rce and engineering. Along with this came becomes Rudolf’s task to free the king whilst acting as re v o l u t i o n a ry scientific theories which shocked many king, and ensuring that the duplicity remains a secret from people. Darwin’s Origin of Species, published in 1859, put the people of Ruritania. forward the theory of evolution, and so questioned the Christian beliefs that had been dominant until then. Many wealthy Victorian families also felt threatened by the rise of the new class of rich factory owners, who capitalised on ABOUT ANTHONY HOPE the poor, particularly women and children. These unsettling social developments forced writers to react against the Anthony Hope Hawkins was born in 1863. He was romanticism of early novelists and turn their attention to educated at Marlborough and at Balliol College, Oxford. He realistic portrayals of social problems and relationships. was a model student and classic all-rounder, emerging Authors such as Dickens, Charles Kingsley and William f rom Oxford with first class degrees in the classics, Makepeace Thackeray stirred the Victorian conscience philosophy and ancient history. In 1887 he was called to with their in-depth observations of social plights. However, the Bar, where he worked as a junior barrister for H.H. as the century drew to a close, another group of young Asquith, the Liberal politician and future Prime Minister. novelists reacted against this realism. Robert Louis Hope maintained a great interest in politics throughout Stevenson, Rudyard Kipling and Joseph Conrad tried to his life. In 1892 he stood for Parliament as a Liberal bring back the spirit of romance into the novel. They candidate in South Bucks, but was not elected. He enjoyed achieved this by setting their stories in exotic places, and the company of politicians, and joined a political club, by developing their themes through action packed, whose members included Winston Churchill and Lloyd adventurous plots. Novels became shorter, faster and more George. appealing to the general public. Robert Louis Stevenson paved the way with his racy tales of adventure in Treasure Some of his contemporaries thought Hope could have Island (1883) and Kidnapped (1886). been Lord Chancellor if The Prisoner of Zenda had not got in the way. The Prisoner of Zenda is a swashbuckling tale of honour and chivalry. It became an immediate bestseller when it Hope published around thirty fictional works in his lifetime, but it wasThe Prisoner of Zenda that made him was published, and was read and enjoyed by all sections of society. A friend of Hope’s, A.E.W.Mason, wrote of the famous, enabling him to give up law, and become a full novel, ‘the debonair chivalry of its hero, the fresh, vivid time writer and literary man. Hope was an efficient and narration and the tenderness of the love story more than quick writer. The first draft of The Prisoner of Zenda and its took the town by storm.’ Robert Louis Stevenson, abroad sequel, Rupert of Hentzau were completed in just a month. in Samoa, began a letter to Hope which was found In 1903 Hope was returning from a lecture tour in the unfinished, on his desk after he died. He praised the novel States, when he met 18 year old American, Miss Betty as ‘a very spirited and gallant little book.’ Shortly after the

© Pearson Education 2000 l e v e l Penguin Readers Factsheets 5 T e a c h e r’s n o t e s book was published, Hope was invited to dinner with the special in some way – exciting, romantic, silly, etc. The newly-appointed Prime Minister, Lord Roseberry, where groups then form a tableau – creating a still picture of that great interest was shown in the politics of Ruritania – the scene. The other groups guess what is happening. mythical, central European country where the adventure Chapters 7–10 takes place. Show the class newspapers that have been written in The main theme that runs through the book is the age-old different styles. Discuss the words they use and who their fascination with mistaken identity. Rudolf Rassendyll has readers are. Divide the class into small groups. Give each the same startling red hair and looks as the King of group a different newspaper and ask them to write in the Ruritania. The public accept him as the same person, the style of their newspaper: enemy knows he is not the king but is unable to display a) the report on Page 35 about the King’s marriage, or their knowledge for fear of giving away the fact that they b) a report on the wounding of the King on page 48, have kidnapped the real king. Flavia, the king’s intended, falls in love with Rudolf, thinking he is the king who has Chapters 11–13 suddenly become a person she can love. As a whole class activity, brainstorm ideas for what should be included in a wanted/missing person poster. Write ideas The other major theme running through the book is the on the board. Collect together some missing/wanted conflict between love and honour. Our hero must choose person posters and show the class. Did they miss anything between his love for the real king’s intended bride, and his out? Students work in pairs and design a wanted or honour and loyalty to the king. Rudolf has the opportunity missing poster for Rassendyll or the King. Display the work to leave the king languishing towards certain death in the afterwards if possible. Castle of Zenda, whilst he takes his place as King of Ruritania. But honour and chivalry are the foundations of life ACTIVITIES AFTER READING THE BOOK in the romantic mythical country. Rudolf Rassendyll was Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a warmly welcomed by the Victorians, as a hero who gives chapter title or two, so that all the chapters are accounted the impression of being indolent and uncaring, but who for. Students write down a few sentences about what becomes a fearless fighter when events demand. By the happens in their chapters. Groups take it in turns to read end of the book the English gentleman has displayed their sentences to the class, starting with Chapter 1, until they have told the story of the book. Has anything qualities fit for a king, and shown the real king the way to important been left out? behave.

G l o s s a r y Communicative activities It will be useful if your students know these new words. They are The following teacher-led activities cover the same sections practised in the ‘Before You Read’sections at the back of the book. (Definitions are based on the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary of text as the exercises at the back of the reader, and English.) supplement those exercises. For supplementary exercises covering shorter sections of the book, see the Chapters 1–3 photocopiable Student’s Activities pages of this Factsheet. bow (v) to bend the top part of your body forward to show respect to These are primarily for use with class readers but, with the someone important exception of discussion and pair/group work questions, can carriage (n) a vehicle with wheels that is pulled by a horse also be used by students working alone in a self-access cellar (n) a room under a building used for storing things centre. Chancellor (n) the chief minister of some countries Colonel (n)a high rank in the army ACTIVITIES BEFORE READING THE BOOK coronation (n) the ceremony in which someone is made king or queen Divide the students into small groups. Students write down crown (n) a circle made of gold and decorated with jewels worn by as many types of books as they can think of, e.g. historical, kings and queens crime, adventure, etc. Then, without letting them know the drawbridge (n) a bridge that can be pulled up to stop people from title, write all the chapter titles from the reader on the entering or attacking a castle board. Groups decide what type of book this is and report Duke (n) a man with the highest social rank outside the royal family their thoughts and reasons to the class. earnest (adj) very serious and believing that what you say is very imprtant ACTIVITIES AFTER READING A SECTION fierce (adj) a fierce person or animal is angry or ready to attack Chapters 1–3 inch (n) a measurement of distance equivalent to 2.54 centimetres lodge (n) a small house built on the land of a large country house Divide students into small groups. Give each group the Majesty (n) title used when talking to the king or queen name of one of the characters in the book. Muddle the Marshal (n) an officer with the highest rank in the army or air force letters up. Students work out who their character is and merry (adj) cheerful and happy then write down as many adjectives as they can think of to moat (n) a deep wide hole usually filled with water around a castle describe this person. Groups read their words to the rest of rank (n) a position or level in the police or armed forces the class who must guess the character. Groups then write revolver (n) a small gun that has a revolving container for bullets down what they think of their character so far. scorn (n) the feeling that someone is stupidor not as good as other Chapters 4–6 people Divide students into small groups. Ask each group to sire (n) a way of addressing a king decide on a scene in these chapters that they thought was throne (n) a special chair used by a king or queen

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Student’s activities 1 The Prisoner of Zenda 2 3

Photocopiable 4 These activities can be done alone or with one or more other students. Pair/group-only activities are marked. 5

Activities before reading the book 6

1 Read the introduction and answer these questions (d) Josef is left to ..... (a) What is the name of the book that has some of (e) Sapt tells Rassendyll about the King’s life UPPER the same characters as The Prisoner of Zenda? while .... INTERMEDIATE (b) What did Anthony Hope do before he was an (f) The Duke of Strelsau meets Rassendyll .... author? (g) Rassendyll asks the Marshal not to surround him (c) How long after Hope left Oxford was The with guards, because .... Prisoner of Zenda published? 2 Have you ever pretended to be someone else? What (d) How old was Hope when he died? do you think would be the most difficult part? Discuss (e) What were The Dolly Dialogues about? with another student. (f) Why did he become Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins? CHAPTER 4 1 Close your book and answer these questions. Activities while reading the book (a) What happens after the coronation? (b) What happens where the road divides? CHAPTER 1 (c) What has happened at the lodge? 1 Answer these questions? (d) What does Sapt persuade Rassendyll to do? (a) Who is to be made an ambassador? Why? (b) Who is travelling on the same train as 2 Work in pairs. One student is Duke Michael, the other Rassendyll? a messenger telling Michael that the real king has (c) Who speaks German and French, as well as been discovered at the lodge. Have the conversation. English? (d) Why does Rassendyll decide to stop at Zenda? CHAPTER 5 (e) Which two people look surprised when they see 1 Find sentences that show: Rassendyll? (a) that Rassendyll finds it difficult being king. 2 Rassendyll says to his brother’s wife, ‘opportunities (b) that Michael’s ‘six’ are loyal to him. are duties.’ What do you think he means by this? Do (c) that Rassendyll is glad he was shot in the hand. you think this idea will be important to the story? (d) that Rassendyll finds Flavia attractive. Discuss with another student. (e) that Flavia recognises a change in the king. CHAPTER 2 (f) that the king is still alive. 1 Who says these things? Who to? What are they (g) that Michael doesn’t trust anyone – not even his talking about? ‘six’. (a) ‘Open it! It’s the very last one.’ 2 How do you think Rudolf and Flavia feel about each (b) ‘I’d give a thousand pounds to see Brother other? Discuss with another student. Michael’s face when he sees a pair of us!’ CHAPTER 6 (c) ‘What the devil have we got here!’ 1 Answer these questions. (d) ‘Yes, I’ll go.’ (a) Why does Sapt think the King is in the Castle of (e) ‘Then we are all brothers of the sword.’ Zenda? 2 Sapt says to Rassendyll, ‘Chance sent you here.’ Do (b) Why doesn’t Rassendyll throw the letter away? you think chance has had an effect on your life? (c) What is Michael’s plan? Discuss with another student. (d) How does Rassendyll escape from the summer CHAPTER 3 house? 1 Finish these sentences. 2 Why do you think Antoinette de Mauban tells (a) Marshal Strakencz is ...... Rassendyll about Michael’s plans? Discuss with another student. (b) Sapt ties Johann’s mother up with a cloth in her mouth because ..... 3 Which person, do you think, shows themselves to be (c) The guards close round Rassendyll as they enter the most honourable in this chapter? Discuss. the Old Town, because .... 4 What do you think of Rassendyll now, compared with what you thought of him in Chapter 1?

CHAPTER 7 (e) If Rassendyll’s plan does not work Marshal Strakencz must announce that he is engaged to 1 Who says? Who is meant by the word in italics ? be married to Flavia. (a) ‘You must offer her marriage when you speak to (f) Rassendyll does not think on the day of her tonight.’ Lauengram’s funeral. (b) ‘Whatever you were, I should love you just the same. CHAPTER 11 (c) Unless you want me to become a criminal as 1 Put these sentences into the order in which they well, let us go to Zenda and crush him. happen. (d) ‘I won’t share in any plan to make a fool of her’ (a) Rassendyll kills de Gautet and Bersonin. (e) ‘I love you more than life – or truth – or honour!’ (b) Rassendyll fights Detchard. 2 ‘Every movement we made was, and had to be, quite (c) Rassendyll watches Rupert swim across the public.’ Would you like to be famous? What are the moat and into the castle. good/bad points? Discuss with another student. (d) The king is cut down by Detchard. CHAPTER 8 (e) Antoinette calls for help. (f) The doctor dies. 1 Put these events into the order in which they happen. (g) Rupert arrives on the drawbridge. (a) Rassendyll takes Fritz to dine at the small hotel he stayed at on his first night in Ruritania. (h) Rupert leaps from the window into the moat. (b) Duke Michael offers Rassendyll one hundred 2 Work in pairs. One student play the part of Rupert, the thousand pounds to leave the country. other Michael. Act out the scene where Michael finds (c) Rassendyll meets Rupert Hentzau for the first Rupert with Antoinette. time. CHAPTER 12 (d) Johann falls into the trap. 1 Answer these questions without looking at the book. (e) Rassendyll is wounded. (a) Who shoots at Rupert? 2 Work in pairs. Student A is Johann, Student B is (b) Who is ‘graceful but without honour’? Rassendyll. Discuss the King, life in the Castle of Zenda, and Michael’s plans for the King. (c) Why does Rupert come back to the castle? (d) Why is Rupert able to run faster that Rassendyll? CHAPTER 9 (e) Who jumps into the moat? 1 These sentences are wrong. Correct them. (f) Why doesn’t Rassendyll shoot Rupert when he (a) Rassendyll kills the man who guards the room has the chance? where the King is prisoner. 2 Work in pairs. Two servants who were in the castle on (b) Rupert escapes on his horse into the forest. the night Duke Michael dies talk about what they saw. (c) Princess Flavia travels to Zenda because the Have the conversation. leading doctors are not allowed to look after the wounded King. CHAPTER 13 (d) The Chief of the Strelsau Police thinks that 1 Match these speeches with ones in the book that Rassendyll may have left the country. have the same meaning. Who says them? Who to? (e) Rassendyll wants to free the King because he (a) ‘The people must not know.’ wants to go home to England. (b) ‘I have learned from you how to behave.’ 2 Write down or discuss with a friend: ‘What qualities (c) ‘You will always be the only one I love.’ make Rassendyll seem like a king?’ (d) ‘If love were the most important thing, I would CHAPTER 10 not stay.’ 1 These sentences have the wrong endings. Put the (e) ‘The person who is best suited to the job, endings in the right place. doesn’t always get it.’ (a) Rupert makes a proposal to Rassendyll that his 2 Work in pairs. One student take the part of plan will succeed. Rassendyll, the other of his brother. Have a conversation where Rassendyll describes Ruritania. (b) The king is the only person not to know that and his brother asks questions. Flavia is Queen. (c) Michael locks Antoinette de Mauban in her room because he is very sick. Activities after reading the book (d) Rassendyll and his men decide to try to free the king, because he doesn’t want Rupert to get into Did you enjoy readingThe Prisoner of Zenda? Why? the room. Why not? Discuss with another student.

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