Who is the Pied Piper?

The Pied Piper is a curious figure in this play and indeed in Browning's poem. He appears out of nowhere with no explanation and disappears in a similar manner. His presence and disappearance with the children leads to the question: ‘Who is the Pied Piper?'

Is he some benevolent fellow who travels from town to town offering his services?
Or is he more of a door-to-door salesman?
Is he a kind of religious messiah who delivers the innocent children from their evil
parents?

Did he have other agendas?
These are all discussion points which can be expanded upon.

Activity

Who is the Pied Piper?

Group Hotseat: Explain to the students that they are all going to be the Pied Piper together – they need to listen very carefully to the answers others give because they may be asked the same question again. The teacher plays the role of a journalist who is interviewing the Pied Piper about the incident in Hamelin. Questions may include:

Why did you go to Hamelin?
How did you get rid of the rats?
Where do you live?
Where did you grow up?
Why did you take the children?

After the interview has finished, have a class discussion and try to build up a character profile for the Pied Piper.