The Prisoner of Zenda · Chapter
XII: I Receive a Visitor and Bait a Hook explained
Rassendyll and his party move to Count Stanislas von Tarlenheim's château near Zenda, ostensibly for boar hunting but actually to be close to the Castle of Zenda where the true king is imprisoned.
What happens
Rassendyll and his party move to Count Stanislas von Tarlenheim's château near Zenda, ostensibly for boar hunting but actually to be close to the Castle of Zenda where the true king is imprisoned. Michael sends three of his Six—Lauengram, Krafstein, and Rupert Hentzau—to deliver a false excuse about scarlet fever. Rassendyll then rides to Zenda with Fritz, visits an inn, and enlists the help of a young woman (the innkeeper's daughter) to lure Johann, a servant at the castle, into a meeting. Sapt later reports that one of their men, Bernenstein, has been attacked.
Themes in this chapter
Loyalty and Betrayal
Rassendyll's men are carefully chosen for their loyalty, while Michael's embassy is a facade of loyalty masking treachery.
Appearance vs. Reality
The boar hunt is a cover for the rescue mission; Michael's scarlet fever excuse is a lie; Rassendyll disguises himself at the inn.
Power and Ambition
Michael's ambition drives him to imprison the king and scheme against Rassendyll, while Rassendyll maneuvers to outwit him.
Characters to notice
- Rudolf Rassendyll
Leads the party to Tarlenheim château, receives Michael's embassy, and rides to Zenda to set a trap for Johann.
- Fritz von Tarlenheim
Accompanies Rassendyll to the inn in Zenda and assists in the plan.
- Colonel Sapt
Oversees the party at the château and warns Rassendyll about the attack on Bernenstein.
- Rupert Hentzau
Leads the embassy from Michael, delivering a mocking speech about scarlet fever.
- Black Michael
Sends his three Ruritanian gentlemen to the château with a false excuse.
- Johann
Mentioned as the servant at Zenda Castle who is being lured by the innkeeper's daughter.
- Krafstein
One of Michael's Six, part of the embassy to the château.
- Robert of Lauengram
One of Michael's Six, part of the embassy to the château.
Key passages
“If my brother has scarlet fever, said I, he is nearer my complexion than he is wont to be, my lord. I trust he does not suffer?”
Rassendyll jokes that Michael's scarlet fever would make him as red-haired as Rassendyll himself.
Rassendyll uses wit to deflect Michael's insult and assert his own position.
“He hopes soon to find a medicine for it, sire.”
Rupert Hentzau replies that Detchard seeks revenge as a cure for his injury.
A thinly veiled threat from Michael's side.
“If a man must needs be a knave, I would have him a debonair knave, and I liked Rupert Hentzau better than his long-faced, close-eyed companions.”
Rassendyll prefers a charming villain like Rupert over the grim ones.
Reveals Rassendyll's appreciation for style even in enemies.
“Our little Delilah will bring our Samson.”
Rassendyll compares the innkeeper's daughter to Delilah, who will lure Johann as Samson was lured.
Biblical allusion to the plan to trap Johann through the girl's influence.
