Hop-Frog is a short story by American writer Edgar Allan Poe, first published in 1849. The title character is a dwarf taken from his homeland who becomes the jester of a king particularly fond of practical jokes. Taking revenge on the king and his cabinet for striking his friend and fellow dwarf Trippetta, he dresses them as orangutans for a masquerade. In front of the king's guests, Hop-Frog murders them all by setting their costumes on fire before escaping with Trippetta. It has been suggested that Poe wrote the story as a form of literary revenge against a woman named Elizabeth F. Ellet and several others.
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"This was a great story from Poe about revenge. A king calls Hop Frog, a jester, and his female friend, Trippetta, into perform and entertain. After insulting Hop Frog and Trippetta, Hop Frog devises a wonderful form of revenge for the king and his counselors. I loved this story."
— Abby (5 out of 5 stars)
“A tale of horror and heart, Hop Frog teaches the lesson that you reap what you sow. With an incredibly creative plot and cast of characters, Poe is able to captivate the reader from start to finish.”
— Examiner.com" last published poe work; revenge of the dwarfs "
— Bill, 1/13/2014" The underdog kicks 'a' and takes names. "
— Tammy, 9/7/2013" A good scary tale by EAP -- where Height doesn't mean a thing if you are seeking revenge! "
— Deana, 11/16/2012" A fun little tale about a Dwarf who finally had enough and takes a horrid revenge on his captor and master the King. It makes you feel for the half-insane deformed creature, even after what he does in the story. Altogether, a interesting story and great tale.....Timothy~ "
— Timothy, 5/6/2012" this was not 44 pages when we read it in class. it was like 8.... "
— Sierra, 4/15/2012" this is one of my favorite Poe stories...why is it not more well-known? "
— Michelle, 1/27/2012" Read it people! This short story is literally heart warming. "
— Isaac, 12/4/2011" Probably one of the funnest revenge stories I've ever read. Brief, intriguing, and thoroughly entertaining. Great for kids, too (if they've a morbid sense justice)! "
— Steven, 5/30/2011" Yes, the violence and that element of morbidity are there, that sudden horror that catches you when it comes to Poe. But herein lies a message one that reminds us not to be evildoers but to respect all regardless of circumstance... "
— Marts, 1/23/2011" Based on the title, I thought the story was humorous but I stand corrected since it's about revenge. One of the best stories about revenge that I've read, actually and one of my favorite by Poe's, too. "
— Tiny, 1/7/2011" I'm going through as many well-known Poe stories as I can right now. There's not a lot to this one but it's quite violent. It must have been fairly shocking in its day. "
— Tyler, 10/19/2010" in this one i felt the sadness, the suffering ,the agonay,and the happiness all togather such a great poem "
— Ahmed, 7/4/2010" Proof that Poe could excel other than in the horror/suspense genres. A nice little read. "
— Capsguy, 12/4/2009" I cheered for the lad,but it's just not that great of a revenge. "
— Adam, 11/7/2009Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1848) transformed the American literary landscape with his innovations in the short story genre and his haunting lyrical poetry, and he is credited with inventing American gothic horror and detective fiction. He was first published in 1827 and then began a career as a magazine writer and editor and a sharp literary critic. In 1845 the publication of his most famous poem, “The Raven,” brought him national fame.
Patrick Lawlor, an award-winning narrator, is also an accomplished stage actor, director, and combat choreographer. He has worked extensively off Broadway and has been an actor and stuntman in both film and television. He has been an Audie Award finalist multiple times and has garnered several AudioFile Earphones Awards, a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award, and many starred audio reviews from Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews.