# Ottomar von Werben — The Breaking of the Storm character guide > Ottomar von Werben in The Breaking of the Storm by Friedrich Spielhagen. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Ottomar, Werben, Lieutenant von Werben **First appearance:** 0001-i ## Snapshot Elsa's brother, a proud and impulsive lieutenant of the Guards whose debts and temper keep him perpetually on the edge of disaster. ## Who they are Ottomar is a young officer whose aristocratic name cannot cover his gambling debts, and whose father's patience is running thin. He dreams of proposing to Carla von Wallbach to end his financial worries, yet his pride and hot temper make him his own worst enemy. Caught between the code of his class and the consequences of his recklessness, he embodies the fragility beneath the von Werben family's martial bearing. ## Relationships ### [Reinhold Schmidt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/reinhold_schmidt) _rivalry_ Ottomar and Reinhold are bitter rivals, competing for Elsa's affection and clashing over honor and class. ### [Elsa von Werben](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/elsa_von_werben) _family_ Elsa and Ottomar are siblings, bound by family duty but strained by Ottomar's jealousy and possessiveness. ### [Carla von Wallbach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/carla_von_wallbach) _romantic_ Carla and Ottomar share a secret, illicit romantic relationship, driven by passion and mutual manipulation. ### [Elsa von Werben](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/elsa_von_werben) _family_ Elsa and Ottomar are siblings, bound by family duty but strained by Ottomar's jealousy and possessiveness. ### [Reinhold Schmidt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/reinhold_schmidt) _rivalry_ Ottomar and Reinhold are bitter rivals, competing for Elsa's affection and clashing over honor and class. ### [Carla von Wallbach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/carla_von_wallbach) _romantic_ Carla and Ottomar share a secret, illicit romantic relationship, driven by passion and mutual manipulation. ### [Elsa von Werben](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/elsa_von_werben) _family_ Elsa and Ottomar are siblings, bound by family duty but strained by Ottomar's jealousy and possessiveness. ### [Carla von Wallbach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/carla_von_wallbach) _romantic_ Carla and Ottomar share a secret, illicit romantic relationship, driven by passion and mutual manipulation. ### [Reinhold Schmidt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/reinhold_schmidt) _rivalry_ Ottomar and Reinhold are bitter rivals, competing for Elsa's affection and clashing over honor and class. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/i) Fellow traveler on the train; a lieutenant in the Guards, son of General von Werben, friendly with Reinhold. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ix) Referenced in Ferdinanda's thoughts and his letter; he plans to meet her at the Exhibition and introduces her to Elsa. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/x) Mentioned by Elsa as having met Reinhold in Orleans and told her about him. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xi) Meets Ferdinanda secretly in the gallery, pleads for more time and careful planning, becomes impatient and is left alone after she departs without explanation. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xii) Appears gloomy and troubled; is urged by Herr von Wallbach to accept a diplomatic post and marry Carla. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xiii) Ottomar is seen talking with Fräulein von Wallbach, and bows to Ferdinanda with indifference. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xiv) Co-heir of the Warnow estate, engaged to Wallbach's sister, and a factor in the marriage strategy. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/i) Ottomar discusses his arranged marriage to Carla, teases Elsa about Count Golm, and is asked to invite Captain Schmidt to the party. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iii) Brings an invitation to Reinhold for a party at his father's house; visits Anders' studio and reacts to Ferdinanda's statue. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/v) Meets Ferdinanda secretly in the Bellevue Garden; experiences a mix of passion and dread, feeling overpowered by her love; walks home through the Tiergarten, haunted by guilt and fear; narrowly escapes Antonio's assassination attempt. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/vi) Ottomar is mentioned as extravagant, causing financial strain on the family. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/vii) Ottomar is late to the party but is noted for his polished manners; Elsa asks Reinhold to become friends with him. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/viii) Defiantly denounces Wagnerism, causing a scene; his gloomy mood suggests a deliberate attempt to provoke a break with Carla. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ix) Driven by rivalry with Golm, dominates the table conversation, wins Carla's praise, and appears intoxicated by success. ### [The Reckoning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/x) Confronted by his father about an anonymous letter revealing his secret engagement to a commoner; struggles with guilt and defiance. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned as the General's nephew, known to Uncle Ernst. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xiii) Ottomar is revealed to not love Ferdinanda; his father forced him to confess the affair, and he is released from any obligation by Ferdinanda's letter. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as being engaged to Carla von Wallbach, with Sidonie praising his modest gratitude. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned in the context of his betrothal and his father's intervention regarding his debts. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/iv) Enters Giraldi's room, showing jealousy and distant manner toward Count Golm; his indecision is noted. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/v) Reluctantly seeks out Giraldi, torn between family pride and defiance of his father. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/viii) Ottomar is rarely home since his engagement, appearing only when his father is absent, and seems unhappy. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/x) Mentioned as the man Bertalda is helping for love and pity; his debts are managed by Giraldi. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned by Elsa as having strayed due to social pressures and family circumstances; he is away at parade and barracks. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xiii) Boards the train with a hunting party; greets Reinhold and Justus; mentions Elsa, Meta, and plans to visit Wissow; unaware of Reinhold's secret. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ii) Ottomar is discussed by Elsa as the betrayed fiancé; she worries about his reaction and his own neglect of Carla. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/vi) Confronts Justus Anders about his sister Elsa's relationship with Captain Schmidt and expresses fury about gossip involving Carla von Wallbach. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/i) The subject of the scandal; his forged bills and flight are discussed, though he does not appear directly. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/ii) Ottomar is in crisis, threatening suicide after a financial scandal involving forged documents. Bertalda reports that he is with an officer named Schönau. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/v) His forgery and elopement with Elsa are the central crisis; the General sees him as irredeemably disgraced. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/viii) Mentioned in Carla's thoughts as a contrast to the Count; she reflects that Ottomar would not have abandoned her in the crisis. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/x) Sits on a stone in the storm, overwhelmed by despair and thoughts of suicide, then rushes to help when he learns Elsa is in danger. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xii) Ottomar's steps are heard on the stairs; he arrives just as Antonio attacks, and Ferdinanda falls into his arms after being stabbed. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xiii) Mentioned as the young gentleman who had ordered the driver to continue, and whose wife was later murdered. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/chapters/xiv) Appears among the villagers and directs the rescue effort, ordering a rope and lights. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters/ottomar_von_werben - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_breaking_of_the_storm_se/characters