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. He 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.

The character I like the most is Princess Flavia, the cousin to King Rudolf the Fifth. She is very beautiful and charming. The Princess is also an observant woman. She can recognise some differences between Rudolf Rassendyll and King Rudolf almost immediately even though she is not aware that Rudolf has impersonated the King. She says to Rudolf, You seem different. You look different. Youre thinner. Youve changed somehow. She is also very concerned for the safety of Rudolf as she knows there is conflict between Duke Michael and him. She warns him to be more careful. I admire her courage to make the stand to remain as Queen and help the King to rule the country even though the person she truly loves is Rudolf Rassendyll. Her greatness lies in these words spoken with such conviction, Love is not all. You have shown me that honour must come first. My honour compels me to stay here. I cannot run away from my duty. I must serve my country and my House. She has placed duty before love. Yet her sorrow is deep,Oh Rudolf! Rudolf! Why did we ever meet? The only comfort she has is the promise given by Rudolf, My beautiful Queen, your ring will always be on my finger, My heart will always be yours. The silent exchange of the single stalk of red rose once a year is a constant reminder of their true love for each other, a love that demands great sacrifice.

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 Sapts suggestion to impersonate the king. He does this to prevent Duke Michael from taking over the throne. Even though it is dangerous as he can be killed if he is discovered, Rudolf is willig to do it because of 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 ife 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.