CHAPTER 2 – Concerning the Colour of Men’s Hair

In Chapter 2 of “The Prisoner of Zenda,” titled “Concerning the Colour of Men’s Hair,” Rudolf Rassendyll’s adventure begins with his adherence to his Uncle William’s advice to never bypass Paris without a visit. In Paris, after meeting with George Featherly at the Embassy and enjoying the city’s nightlife, Rudolf and George visit Bertram Bertrand, a disturbed poet entangled in unrequited love for Antoinette Mauban, a renowned and ambitiously romantic figure. Despite Bertrand’s distress, the evening reveals hints of a complex romantic and political web, involving Antoinette, Duke Michael of Strelsau (Ruritania’s king’s half-brother), and undisclosed royal intrigues.

Rudolf’s journey continues towards the Tyrol via Dresden, with a coincidental and persistent travel companion, Antoinette Mauban herself, though they do not interact. Rudolf’s decision to stop at Zenda, based on a spontaneous plan to avoid overcrowded Strelsau due to the upcoming coronation, lands him amidst locals with strong opinions on the royal succession and Duke Michael’s ambitions, vividly contrasting with their lukewarm reception of the soon-to-be King.

The casual, revealing banter at the inn exposes Rudolf to the local sentiments favoring the popular Duke over the almost stranger King. An intriguing comment sparks Rudolf’s interest in the royal dynamics and Michael’s intentions towards his cousin, Princess Flavia, hinting at a looming conflict for power and affection. Rudolf’s interactions reveal the deep-seated loyalty and the divisions within Ruritania, alongside teasing glimpses into the personalities involved in the unfolding drama.

Rudolf’s curious resemblance to the Elphberg lineage, noted with surprise by Johann, the Duke’s keeper, underscores the tale’s central motif—the striking similarity between Rudolf and the Ruritanian royals. This chapter sets the stage for a complex narrative web of love, political ambition, and mistaken identities, laying down the foundational intrigue and character relationships that propel Rudolf into the heart of Ruritanian affairs.