# Black Michael — The Prisoner of Zenda character guide > Black Michael in The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Michael, brother Michael, cousin Michael, Duke Michael, Michael of Strelsau, cousin Michael **First appearance:** 0001-ii-concerning-the-colour-of-men-s-hair ## Snapshot The King's ambitious younger brother, Duke of Strelsau, who schemes to seize the throne and the Princess Flavia with a cold patience that masks a dangerous desperation. ## Who they are Duke Michael is the King's brother and the shadow behind every threat to the crown, a man who hides his treason behind courtly manners and a network of hired swords. He wants both the throne and Flavia, and his willingness to imprison his own brother shows how far he will go. He and Rudolf are forced into a strange, mutually deceptive truce, each pretending to be something he is not, and Michael's cold calculation makes him a worthy and unsettling adversary. ## Relationships ### [Colonel Sapt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/colonel_sapt) _rivalry_ Bitter enemies, as Sapt is the king's most loyal defender and Michael's chief obstacle to usurping the throne. ### [Rupert Hentzau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/rupert_hentzau) _psychological_ Michael employs Rupert as a dangerous, unpredictable henchman, but Rupert's ambition and cunning make him a volatile tool. ### [Princess Flavia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/princess_flavia) _rivalry_ Michael seeks to marry Flavia to legitimize his claim to the throne, but she despises him and remains loyal to the true king. ### [Antoinette Mauban](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/antoinette_mauban) _romantic_ Antoinette is Michael's mistress, but her feelings are conflicted as she becomes disillusioned by his cruelty and ambition. ### [Fritz von Tarlenheim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/fritz_von_tarlenheim) _rivalry_ Fritz is a loyal supporter of the king and thus a direct opponent to Michael's schemes. ### [Marshal Strakencz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/marshal_strakencz) _rivalry_ Marshal Strakencz remains loyal to the true king, making him an adversary to Michael's usurpation. ### [Rudolf Rassendyll](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/rudolf_rassendyll) _rivalry_ Michael sees Rudolf (as the king's double) as a direct threat to his coup, leading to intense enmity. ### [Colonel Sapt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/colonel_sapt) _rivalry_ Bitter enemies, as Sapt is the king's most loyal defender and Michael's chief obstacle to usurping the throne. ### [Princess Flavia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/princess_flavia) _rivalry_ Michael seeks to marry Flavia to legitimize his claim to the throne, but she despises him and remains loyal to the true king. ### [Fritz von Tarlenheim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/fritz_von_tarlenheim) _rivalry_ Fritz is a loyal supporter of the king and thus a direct opponent to Michael's schemes. ### [Rupert Hentzau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/rupert_hentzau) _psychological_ Michael employs Rupert as a dangerous, unpredictable henchman, but Rupert's ambition and cunning make him a volatile tool. ### [Marshal Strakencz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/marshal_strakencz) _rivalry_ Marshal Strakencz remains loyal to the true king, making him an adversary to Michael's usurpation. ## In the story ### [II: Concerning the Colour of Men's Hair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/ii-concerning-the-colour-of-men-s-hair) Duke of Strelsau, master of Zenda, and rival to his brother the king; discussed by the innkeeper and her daughters. ### [A Merry Evening with a Distant Relative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/iii-a-merry-evening-with-a-distant-relative) The Duke of Strelsau, mentioned as the owner of the hunting lodge and the subject of the king's jest about his reaction to seeing a double. ### [The King Keeps His Appointment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/iv-the-king-keeps-his-appointment) Implied to have drugged the king; expected to have a candidate ready to seize the throne. ### [The Adventures of an Understudy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/v-the-adventures-of-an-understudy) Present at the cathedral, his helmet falls when he sees Rassendyll; he is sullen and nervous. ### [The Secret of a Cellar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/vi-the-secret-of-a-cellar) Pursues Rassendyll and Sapt on horseback but is misled and heads to Zenda Castle instead. ### [VII: His Majesty Sleeps in Strelsau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/vii-his-majesty-sleeps-in-strelsau) Implied to have orchestrated the king's kidnapping; his men are sent to remove traces of the crime. ### [A Fair Cousin and a Dark Brother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/viii-a-fair-cousin-and-a-dark-brother) Returns to Strelsau and is received coldly; he presents his three foreign associates to the false king. ### [A New Use for a Tea-Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/ix-a-new-use-for-a-tea-table) Implied to have dictated the letter and orchestrated the trap; his plot to kill Rassendyll and the king is revealed. ### [X: A Great Chance for a Villain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/x-a-great-chance-for-a-villain) Reported to have left Strelsau for Zenda with his men; his popularity grows as rumors link him to Flavia. ### [Hunting a Very Big Boar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xi-hunting-a-very-big-boar) Sends a courteous invitation to Flavia to visit Zenda; is the target of Rassendyll's mission. ### [XII: I Receive a Visitor and Bait a Hook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xii-i-receive-a-visitor-and-bait-a-hook) Sends his three Ruritanian gentlemen to the château with a false excuse. ### [An Improvement on Jacob's Ladder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xiii-an-improvement-on-jacob-s-ladder) Referenced as the orchestrator of the plot; offers Rassendyll safe-conduct and a million crowns through Rupert. ### [A Night Outside the Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xiv-a-night-outside-the-castle) Believes Rassendyll is incapacitated, arranges a hunting party, is the antagonist in the struggle. ### [XV: I Talk with a Tempter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xv-i-talk-with-a-tempter) Referenced as the duke whose plan Rupert offers to betray; described as a jealous brute. ### [XVI: A Desperate Plan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xvi-a-desperate-plan) Frustrated by Rassendyll's betrothal announcement, he keeps the king imprisoned and under heavy guard. ### [Young Rupert's Midnight Diversions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xvii-young-rupert-s-midnight-diversions) Confronts Rupert in Antoinette's room, threatens him, and reveals his obsession with the princess and desire to kill Rassendyll. ### [XVIII: The Forcing of the Trap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xviii-the-forcing-of-the-trap) Heard shouting for help and trying to force a door; his voice grows faint and husky. ### [XIX: Face to Face in the Forest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xix-face-to-face-in-the-forest) Reported dead by Antoinette de Mauban and confirmed by Sapt. ### [The Prisoner and the King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xx-the-prisoner-and-the-king) Killed by Rupert Hentzau during a fight in Antoinette's room. ### [XXI: If Love Were All!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xxi-if-love-were-all) Mentioned as lying in his coffin, with Antoinette de Mauban watching by him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/black_michael - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters