# Prince Otto — Prince Otto character guide > Prince Otto in Prince Otto by Robert Louis Stevenson. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Otto, Otto of Grünewald, Prince, The Prince, Prince Charming, Prince Featherhead, Otto the Hunter **First appearance:** 0001-prince-otto ## Snapshot A dreamy prince who would rather hunt and be flattered than govern, Otto drifts through his own court a stranger to power, his wife, and himself. ## Who they are Otto of Grünewald wears a crown he never learned to wield, preferring adventure, compliments, and the poetry of life to the dull machinery of rule. His vanity is easily tickled — a chancellor's flattery leaves him 'all roseate' — yet the sight of his estranged wife still overcomes him with physical weakness, and he knows she is 'better than success.' His weakness and his longing are the engine of the story: a ruler who must lose everything before he can begin to deserve it. ## Relationships ### [Countess von Rosen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/characters/countess_von_rosen) _romantic_ The Countess is infatuated with Otto and pursues him with manipulative charm, though he remains ambivalent. ### [Doctor Gotthold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/characters/doctor_gotthold) _friendship_ Gotthold is Otto's loyal and wise friend, often serving as his moral compass and confidant. ### [Princess Seraphina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/characters/princess_seraphina) _family_ Otto and Seraphina are estranged spouses, bound by duty but strained by political and personal conflicts. ### [Sir John Crabtree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/characters/sir_john_crabtree) _social_ Sir John is a cynical observer and occasional advisor to Otto, maintaining a detached acquaintance. ### [Governor Gordon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/characters/governor_gordon) _professional_ Gordon is a stern military governor who serves Otto with reluctant loyalty but often clashes with his indecisiveness. ### [Fritz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/characters/fritz) _professional_ Fritz is Otto's loyal and simple-minded servant, devoted to his master's well-being. ### [Killian Gottesheim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/characters/killian_gottesheim) _social_ Killian is a peasant who befriends Otto during his travels, offering simple wisdom and hospitality. ### [Herr Greisengesang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/characters/herr_greisengesang) _professional_ Greisengesang is Otto's fawning and bureaucratic chancellor, more concerned with protocol than substance. ### [Ottilia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/characters/ottilia) _social_ Ottilia is a young peasant girl who shows kindness to Otto during his exile, representing innocence. ### [Countess von Rosen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/characters/countess_von_rosen) _romantic_ The Countess is infatuated with Otto and pursues him with manipulative charm, though he remains ambivalent. ### [Countess von Rosen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/characters/countess_von_rosen) _romantic_ The Countess is infatuated with Otto and pursues him with manipulative charm, though he remains ambivalent. ### [Sir John Crabtree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/characters/sir_john_crabtree) _social_ Sir John is a cynical observer and occasional advisor to Otto, maintaining a detached acquaintance. ## In the story ### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/dedication) The author reintroduces Prince Otto to Nelly, recalling him as a small fellow from earlier notes. ### [Prince Otto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/prince-otto) The titular prince, portrayed as well-meaning but naive and out of touch with governance. ### [Book I: Prince Errant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/book-i-prince-errant) The protagonist, feeling restless and disillusioned with his life as a prince and husband, sets out on a solitary journey. ### [In Which the Prince Departs on an Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/i-in-which-the-prince-departs-on-an-adventure) The Prince departs on an adventure, riding a grey mare across the border into Gerolstein, to the dismay of his huntsmen. ### [In Which the Prince Plays Haroun-al-Raschid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/ii-in-which-the-prince-plays-haroun-al-raschid) Travels incognito and hears his subjects' unflattering views of him. ### [In Which the Prince Comforts Age and Beauty and Delivers a Lecture on Discretion in Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/iii-in-which-the-prince-comforts-age-and-beauty-and-delivers-a-lecture-on-discretion-in-love) After a sleepless night, Otto finds solace by a waterfall, converses with Ottilia, and lectures Fritz on love and respect. ### [In Which the Prince Collects Opinions by the Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/iv-in-which-the-prince-collects-opinions-by-the-way) Travels incognito, collecting opinions from commoners and intellectuals; reflects on his role as prince and husband. ### [Book II: Of Love and Politics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/book-ii-of-love-and-politics) Struggles with his role as husband and ruler, feeling inadequate and manipulated. ### [What Happened in the Library](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/i-what-happened-in-the-library) Visits Gotthold in the library, expresses doubts about his role as sovereign, considers abdication, and decides to read Sir John Crabtree's manuscript. ### [II: “On the Court of Grünewald,” Being a Portion of the Traveller’s Manuscript](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/ii-on-the-court-of-gr-newald-being-a-portion-of-the-traveller-s-manuscript) Described as a young man of imperfect education, questionable valour, and no capacity, held in public contempt; a dilettante who does many things badly, with a womanish mouth and a vacuity of moral nature. ### [III: The Prince and the English Traveller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/iii-the-prince-and-the-english-traveller) Furious at Sir John's manuscript, Otto confronts him, grants his freedom, and defends his wife's honor, showing a spirited and principled side. ### [While the Prince Is in the Anteroom…](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/iv-while-the-prince-is-in-the-anteroom) Enters the anteroom with exaggerated dignity, flatters the ladies, and engages in witty repartee with Countess von Rosen. He remains evasive about politics and ambition. ### [Gondremark Is in My Lady's Chamber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/v-gondremark-is-in-my-lady-s-chamber) Mentioned as waiting outside; his unexpected return is a complication for Gondremark and Seraphina's plans. ### [The Prince Delivers a Lecture on Marriage, with Practical Illustrations of Divorce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/vi-the-prince-delivers-a-lecture-on-marriage-with-practical-illustrations-of-divorce) Attempts to lecture Seraphina on marriage and duty, expressing his love and jealousy, but fails to communicate effectively and becomes angered. ### [VII: The Prince Dissolves the Council](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/vii-the-prince-dissolves-the-council) Returns to the council, asserts his authority, demands funds, and dissolves the council to halt the war plot. ### [The Party of War Takes Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/viii-the-party-of-war-takes-action) Mentioned as having dissolved the council and halted the war; he is the target of the coup. ### [IX: The Price of the River Farm; in Which Vainglory Goes Before a Fall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/ix-the-price-of-the-river-farm-in-which-vainglory-goes-before-a-fall) Struggles with guilt after the council, busies himself with work, and devises a plan to get money for Killian, but is ultimately confronted by the Countess's offer. ### [X: Gotthold’s Revised Opinion; and the Fall Completed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/x-gotthold-s-revised-opinion-and-the-fall-completed) Feels resentful and humiliated after the Countess's mixed treatment; impulsively gives money to the dishonest groom; completes the land purchase with Killian; seeks validation from Gotthold but receives harsh criticism, leading to a tearful and angry departure. ### [Providence von Rosen: Act the First](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/xi-providence-von-rosen-act-the-first) Mentioned as the target of the arrest plot; von Rosen plans to lure him to the Flying Mercury. ### [Providence von Rosen: Act the Second](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/xii-providence-von-rosen-act-the-second) Resigned and melancholic, he accepts the order for his arrest without resistance, blaming himself for his failures. ### [Providence von Rosen: Act the Third](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/xiii-providence-von-rosen-act-the-third) Mentioned as having been arrested and choosing to go to prison rather than resist, demonstrating his love and forbearance. ### [XIV: Relates the Cause and Outbreak of the Revolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/xiv-relates-the-cause-and-outbreak-of-the-revolution) Referenced through his farewell letter to Seraphina, which she reads. ### [Fortunate Misfortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/book-iii-fortunate-misfortune) The protagonist who flees his palace and confronts his inadequacies as a ruler and husband. ### [Princess Cinderella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/i-princess-cinderella) Mentioned as the husband Seraphina wishes to free; Sir John speaks of him with admiration and recounts their past encounter. ### [II: Treats of a Christian Virtue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/ii-treats-of-a-christian-virtue) Arrested and traveling to Felsenburg; reflects on his marriage and expresses forgiveness toward his wife and Gotthold. ### [III: Providence von Rosen: Act the Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/iii-providence-von-rosen-act-the-last) Imprisoned, he receives the release order from von Rosen, declares his love for Seraphina, and agrees to go to Gondremark to save his wife. ### [IV: Babes in the Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/iv-babes-in-the-wood) Runs to find Seraphina, struggles with pride and diffidence, offers brotherly love, then confesses his enduring devotion and leads their escape. ### [Bibliographical Postscript to Complete the Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/bibliographical-postscript-to-complete-the-story) Co-author of the poetry volume 'Poésies par Frédéric et Amélie', aging peacefully with Seraphina. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/characters/prince_otto - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/characters