# VII explained — Zuleika Dobson > Chapter companion for Zuleika Dobson by Max Beerbohm. ## What happens The Duke and Zuleika walk toward the river after missing the boat race. The Duke contemplates his death by drowning, imagining it as a grand romantic gesture. Zuleika, initially displeased, becomes fascinated when she suspects he intends to die for her. She pleads with him to live, but he remains resolute. The chapter ends with the Duke preparing to leap into the river, while Zuleika watches with a mixture of horror and excitement. ## Themes in this chapter ### Death and Sacrifice The Duke's plan to drown himself for Zuleika exemplifies the theme of romantic sacrifice, treating death as the ultimate expression of love. ### Love and Obsession The Duke's obsession with Zuleika drives him to contemplate suicide, while Zuleika's fascination with his resolve borders on morbid curiosity. ### Vanity and Self-Absorption Both characters are absorbed in their own perspectives: the Duke in his romantic self-dramatization, Zuleika in her power over him. ### Fate and Irony The Duke's belief that his death will save others from Zuleika's allure is ironic, as she is more captivated by his resolve than ever. ## Character check-ins ### Duke of Dorset Resolved to die for Zuleika, he contemplates drowning in the river and feels a newfound sympathy for mankind. ### Zuleika Dobson Initially angry at the Duke for missing the race, she becomes intrigued by his talk of death and tries to dissuade him, though her eyes betray excitement. ### Noaks Mentioned as part of the crowd returning from the race. ### Mr. Abimelech V. Oover Mentioned as part of the crowd returning from the race. ## Key lines > The Duke did not try to break the stony silence in which Zuleika walked. Her displeasure was a luxury to him, for it was so soon to be dispelled. The Duke enjoyed Zuleika's anger because he knew it would vanish once she learned of his plan to die for her. _Highlights the Duke's smugness and his view of her displeasure as temporary._ > He wanted to die because he would thereby so poignantly consummate his love, express it so completely, once and for all He saw death as the ultimate and perfect expression of his love for her. _Reflects the Romantic ideal of love culminating in death._ > The law of gravitation that brings one to the surface? There his very skill in swimming would help him. He would swim under water, along the riverbed, swim till he found weeds to cling to He planned to use his swimming ability to stay underwater and drown himself by clinging to weeds. _Shows his determination to overcome the instinct to survive._ > I am sorry, he said. That gun—did you hear it? It was the signal for the race. I shall never forgive myself. He apologized for missing the race, blaming himself to avoid a confrontation with Zuleika. _Demonstrates his strategic self-blame to manage her reaction._ > Moriturus te saluto He who is about to die salutes you. _A classical Roman gladiator's salute, underscoring his theatrical view of his death._ > When I shall have sunk forever beneath these waters whose supposed purpose here this afternoon is but that they be ploughed by the blades of these young oarsmen When I drown in this river, which today is only meant for the rowing race. _Contrasts the mundane purpose of the river with his dramatic death._ > Why of course, of course ! babbled Zuleika, with clasped hands and dazzling eyes. But, she curbed herself, it is—it would—oh, you mustn’t think of it! I couldn’t allow it! I—I should never forgive myself! She eagerly agreed she would mourn him, then quickly tried to dissuade him, but her excitement was evident. _Reveals her conflicted feelings: fascination with his devotion and a pretense of concern._ > If you were not, as the whole world knows you to be, perfectly respectable, there might be something in what you say. But as it is, you can but be an engine for mischief; and your sophistries leave me unmoved. I shall certainly keep you to myself. The Duke dismisses Zuleika's argument that she should be free to speak to others, insisting she is dangerous and must be kept to himself. _Shows his possessiveness and his view of her as a destructive force._ > I hate you, said Zuleika, with an ugly petulance that crowned the irony. She declared her hatred for him, a statement made ironic by his impending death. _Highlights the irony of her anger given his sacrifice._ > All these men, he repeated dreamily, will be coy of your advances. He predicted that after his death, other men would be wary of her. _Reflects his belief that his example will protect others from her allure._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/chapters/vii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuleika_dobson_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/chapters