Rupert of Hentzau

Rupert of Hentzau is a sequel by Anthony Hope to The Prisoner of Zenda, written in 1895 but not published until 1898.

Related Topics:
Sequel - Anthony Hope - The Prisoner of Zenda - 1895 - 1898

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The story, set within a framing narrative by Fritz von Tarlenheim, a supporting character in The Prisoner of Zenda, commences three years after that novel's conclusion. A letter from the unhappily married Queen Flavia of Ruritania to Rudolf Rassendyll is stolen by the villainous Rupert, now an exile. He sees in it a chance to return to favour by informing the pathologically jealous and dissolute King Rudolf V. Rassendyll returns to the kingdom to aid the Queen, but is once more forced to play the King after Rudolf V is shot by Rupert. He in turn kills Rupert, but is assassinated in the hour of triumph by one of Rupert's henchmen - and is thus spared the crisis of conscience over whether to continue the deception for years to come. He is buried as the King, and Flavia reigns on alone, the last of the Elphberg dynasty. Fritz's conclusion implies that the events related took place in the late 1870s-early 1880s, as his youngest son is now 10.

Related Topics:
The Prisoner of Zenda - Ruritania

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The eponymous Rupert of Hentzau first featured as a character in The Prisoner of Zenda. On screen, he has been played by Ramon Novarro (1922), Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. (1937), and James Mason (1952).

Related Topics:
Ramon Novarro - 1922 - Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. - 1937 - James Mason - 1952

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Film versions of Rupert of Hentzau itself were made in 1915 and 1923 (with Lew Cody as Rupert), the latter film blunting the tragic ending.

Related Topics:
Film - 1915 - 1923 - Lew Cody - Tragic

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