Question

chapter two
active reading guide
vocabulary
heir -- a successor, someone who inherits a title or property
opposition -- resistance
relentless -- constant, without stopping
simian -- resembling or related to monkeys

1. chapter two reveals prince humperdinck’s character. what about him is direct satire compared to princes from classic fairy tales?
2. humperdinck’s true love is hunting, but even that too is satirized. what does the prince’s passion for hunting reveal about his character? how is it used to reveal negative qualities that a fantasy prince is not supposed to have?

Explanation:

Question 1

In classic fairy tales, princes are often heroic, kind, and focused on love (e.g., rescuing princesses). Prince Humperdinck is a satire: he’s self - centered, his “love” is hunting (not romance), and he’s power - hungry. Unlike noble fairy - tale princes, he’s ruthless and uses his position for personal (hunting) goals, mocking the idealized fairy - tale prince archetype.

1. Character Revealed by Hunting Passion: His passion for hunting shows obsession, selfishness, and a lack of empathy. He prioritizes his hunting (e.g., building a Zoo of Death for rare prey) over royal duties or kindness.
2. Revealing Negative Qualities: Fantasy princes are supposed to be chivalrous, loving, and just. Humperdinck’s hunting is a metaphor for his predatory, controlling nature (he “hunts” people, like planning to kill Westley). His relentless hunting (and the cruel Zoo of Death) shows arrogance, cruelty, and a lack of the compassion or nobility fantasy princes have. It satirizes the idea of a “good” prince by making his “love” (hunting) a symbol of his villainy.

Answer:

Classic fairy - tale princes are heroic, romantic, and noble (e.g., rescuing princesses out of love). Prince Humperdinck is direct satire: he is self - centered, his “love” is hunting (not romantic love), he is power - hungry, and ruthless. He mocks the idealized, noble fairy - tale prince archetype by being self - serving and lacking the romantic, heroic traits associated with classic fairy - tale princes.

Question 2