Sincerity, Faithfulness and Generosity of Rudolf Rassendyl in Anthony Hope’s "The Prisoner of Zenda"

Key characters:

Rudolph Rassendyl, King Rudolf V,  Princess Flavia, Rupert of Hentzau, Antoinette De Mauban ,Colonel Zapt, Black Michael, Captain Fritz von Tarlenheim

Light novels of adventure, intrigue, and romance set in a mythical European kingdom are typical of the literature popular before World War I. The Prisoner of Zenda, a novel by Anthony Hope is about a man who poses as the heir to the throne in a small European country when the real heir falls into a coma. King Rudolf is in coma and his distant cousin Rudolph Rassendyl takes the king’s place during his illness. The false king has to fend off assassination attempts engineered by the real king’s brother and his cohort Rupert of Hentzau. He also must convince Princess Flavia that he is her fiancé, and in the process he falls in love with her.  Rudolph Rassendyl the foremost character of the novel is the best creation of Anthony Hope Hawkins. Anthony has presented him in such way that he has become immortal in the field of English literature. Anthony Hope has stolen all the sincerity, faithfulness and generosity of this earth to create the character of Rassendyl and make his character to all times to come, a dynamic, smart, handsome and bold hero of the novel, who captures the attention of the reader at the very outset. And as the novel moves our interest grows in his personality.

Rassendyl is a young man of about twenty nine and belongs to an aristocratic family. He is highly educated and excellent mark man, skillful sword man and an expert horseman. He is tall, handsome and smart. He has red hair and a long sharp nose, a trait typical of the members of the royal family of Ruritania.

   Rassendyl does not take life seriously. He is rather careless; therefore he is fond of outings, excursions and adventures. But as he begins playing the part of the king of Ruritania, he becomes very serious and sensible.

  Rassendyl is a brave man and gives evidences of his bravery on many occasions. For instance, while fighting against six hirelings of the Black Michael, he is daring and passes a night in the moat. He is dauntless and goes to see Madam de Mauban in the "Summer House" at her invitation to collect secret information about king, and there he fights with the rogues. In the end of the novel he is fighting in the thick of fight. Even the Marshall praises him for his bravery. Princess Flavia is also enamored of his courage and bravery.

  Rassendyl is a carefree youth, but when he falls in love with Flavia, he gives his full devotion to her. He proves himself a true lover and explains through his behavior the real meaning of love, which is complete submission and devotion to the lover. It is the sincerity and nobility of Rassendyll the princess Flavia does not suspect of his impersonation. His love for her is pure, honest and selfless. It is free from lust and selfishness. He sacrifices his love for the will of Flavia and for the real king. It is rightly said, "Love is the supreme experience of life and when it is sacrificed" it is certainly a supreme sacrifice.

  Rudolf Rassendyl is a sincere and unselfish man to the care of his heart. He is completely selfless and is not tempted at all when he becomes the king. He does not wish to remain the king forever. On the other hand, he is anxious to release the king and handover the reins of Ruritania as soon as possible. He does not show any selfish motive. He tackles even more awkward situation when the question of solemnization of betrothal with princes Flavia arises after coronation ceremony. In connection with this he finds himself in a very critical situation. In case of refused, he would have displeased the people who loved him. In other case, if he had admitted his relation with Flavia, it would have been dangerous and nobody even Flavia suspect him. In this way maintains the bond of friendship and his dignity.

  Rudolf Rassendyl proves himself worthy of the royal position of the king of Ruritania. He comes to Ruritania as a guest to attend the king's coronation ceremony, but the political events of the Country makes him the king of Ruritania. During his period, he shows his talents, faces problems very bravely and at last achieves his sacred aim of getting Rudolf Elphberg released, who is made prisoner at Zenda. He plays his role so successfully and seriously that nobody knows, it is only in the end that princess Flavia is told by Fritz the whole story when Rassendyl gets wounded and falls unconscious.

  In view of above, we can say that he is true hero of the novel and no other character in the novel is so sound, noble and worthy of admiration as Rassendyll.