The Prisoner of Zenda - Sample Answer

Write about the character that you dislike most

The character that I dislike most in the novel The Prisoner of Zenda is Rupert of Hentzau. He is the leader of the Famous Six, a group of gentlemen who works for Duke Michael. Rupert is a disloyal person.

One day, when Rudolf Rassendyll is riding in the street of Zenda with Princess Flavia, he comes across Rupert who is leading the funeral procession of the dead Lauengram. Rupert makes an offer to Rudolf. Rupert asks Rudolf to attack the castle during the day and he will kill the King, Duke Michael, Colonel Sapt and Fritz von Tarlenheim. Then, Rudolf can be the king and marry Princess Flavia. On the other hand, Rupert will have money and power, and what is more, he can get Antoinette de Mauban whom he wants so much. This shows his disloyalty towards Duke Michael and he cannot be trusted. He is also greedy and selfish. He is willing to kill in order to get what he wants.

He is also a cruel man. When he goes to the Castle of Tarlenheim to offer Ruldof 100,000 pounds from Duke Michael, he stabs Rudolf when he pretends to shake hands with Rudolf. At the end of the story, he does kill Duke Michael because he wants Antoinette de Mauban.

As a conclusion, I dislike Rupert of Hentzau because he is disloyal, greedy, selfish and cruel. All these qualities make him a bad character that everybody loves to hate.

Prisoner of Zenda - Sample Answer

PMR 2002 - Choose one character that you find interesting. Give reasons why you find that character interesting.

I find Rudolf Rassendyll from the novel an interesting character.

In an interesting event when King Rudolf is sick when he drinks the drugged wine sent by his brother, Duke Michael, Rudolf bravely agrees to Colonel Sapt’s suggestion to impersonate the king. He does this to prevent Duke Michael from taking over the throne. Eventhough it is dangerous as he can be killed if he is discovered, Rudolf is willig to do it because oh his new friend.

Later, Rudolf refuses the bribe of 50 and 100 thousand pounds from Duke Michael to leave Ruritania because he is loyal to his friends.

Towards the end of the story, he bravely fights against the Famous Six in the castle to save the king. He is badly injured in the fight, risking his life for the sake of his friends.

Rudolf Rassendyll is indeed a brave and loyal friend. He is willing to risk his life because of his friendship with Colonel Sapt, Fritz von tarlenheim and the King. He also refuses to betray them though he is offered money, the throne and even Princess Flavia. friendship, loyalty and bravery are the themes presented in the novel. To be brave and loyal are the lessons that we can learn from Rudolf Rassendyll.