The Frog Prince Flashcards
by The Brothers Grimm — tap or click to flip
Flashcard Review
Flashcards: The Frog Prince
What toy does the princess lose at the beginning of the story?
Her golden ball, which is described as her favorite plaything.
Where does the golden ball fall?
Into a deep well in the forest near the King’s castle, beneath an old lime tree.
What does the frog ask in return for retrieving the golden ball?
He asks the princess to let him be her companion—eat from her plate, drink from her cup, and sleep in her bed.
Does the princess keep her promise to the frog after he returns the ball?
No. She grabs the ball and runs home, leaving the frog behind and quickly forgetting about him.
How does the frog arrive at the castle the next day?
He comes "creeping splish splash" up the marble staircase and knocks at the door, reciting a verse reminding the princess of her promise.
Who forces the princess to honor her promise to the frog?
Her father, the King, who tells her that she must not despise someone who helped her when she was in trouble.
What does the princess do when the frog demands to sleep in her bed?
She becomes terribly angry and throws him with all her might against the wall.
What happens when the frog hits the wall?
He transforms into a handsome prince with kind eyes—the violent act breaks the witch’s curse.
Describe the princess at the start of the story.
She is the youngest and most beautiful of the King’s daughters, spoiled and accustomed to getting her way.
What is the princess’s private thought after promising to be the frog’s companion?
She thinks the frog is silly—he lives in water with other frogs and "can be no companion to any human being."
What word does the princess use to describe the frog to her father?
She calls him a "disgusting frog," revealing her contempt for his appearance.
What role does the King play in the story’s moral framework?
He serves as the moral authority, insisting that promises must be kept regardless of personal discomfort.
Who is Faithful Henry and what is his relationship to the prince?
He is the prince’s devoted servant who grieved so deeply when his master was cursed that he had iron bands placed around his heart.
How many iron bands does Faithful Henry have around his heart?
Three iron bands, each of which cracks open as they ride away after the curse is broken.
How does the theme of transformation operate on multiple levels in the story?
The frog physically transforms into a prince, the princess morally transforms from selfish promise-breaker to (reluctant) obligation-keeper, and Henry’s grief transforms into joy.
How does the story illustrate the theme of appearances versus reality?
The ugly frog conceals a noble prince, while the beautiful princess conceals a dishonest nature—outward beauty does not equal inner virtue.
What does the contrast between the princess and Faithful Henry reveal about loyalty?
The princess reluctantly fulfills her obligation only when forced, while Henry’s devotion to his master is so deep he bound his own heart in iron.
What promise-keeping lesson does the King teach his daughter?
That someone who helped you in a time of need must not be despised afterward—obligations must be honored even when inconvenient.
What is significant about the opening line, "In old times when wishing still helped one"?
It uses personification to establish a magical world where human desires could influence reality, framing the story as belonging to a lost age of enchantment.
How does the rule of three appear in the story?
Faithful Henry has three iron bands around his heart, and they crack one by one during the carriage ride—each crack mistaken for the carriage breaking.
What is ironic about how the frog’s curse is broken?
An act of violent rejection—throwing the frog against a wall—frees him, while the princess’s reluctant compliance throughout dinner did nothing to break the spell.
How does the frog’s verse at the castle door function as a literary device?
The embedded poem uses repetition and direct address to heighten the frog’s persistence and remind both the princess and reader of the broken promise.
What does "lamented" mean in the context of the princess crying by the well?
To express deep grief or sorrow audibly—she is weeping loudly and dramatically over the loss of her golden ball.
What does "avail" mean when the narrator says "what did it avail him to scream his croak"?
To be of use or benefit—the narrator is saying the frog’s cries were completely useless since the princess ignored him.
What does "perchance" mean when the King asks if a giant is outside?
It means "perhaps" or "by chance"—an archaic term reflecting the story’s fairy-tale register.
"He who helped thee when thou wert in trouble ought not afterwards to be despised by thee." Who says this and why is it important?
The King says it to his daughter. It is the story’s central moral statement about honoring obligations to those who have helped you.
"Now, thou wilt be quiet, odious frog." What happens immediately after the princess says this?
She has just thrown the frog against the wall. Instead of being silenced, he transforms into a prince—her anger inadvertently breaks the curse.
"No, master, it is not the carriage. It is a band from my heart." What does this line reveal about Faithful Henry?
It reveals the depth of his grief during his master’s enchantment—his joy at the prince’s freedom is literally breaking the bonds of sorrow around his heart.