# In Which the Prince Comforts Age and Beauty and Delivers a Lecture on Discretion in Love explained — Prince Otto

> Chapter companion for Prince Otto by Robert Louis Stevenson.

## What happens

Prince Otto, after a restless night, wanders into a valley and sits by a waterfall, where he falls into a drowsy reverie. He is awakened by Ottilia, who begs him not to punish her father and Fritz for their earlier disrespect. Otto reassures her, admitting his own faults and praising her father's honesty. Their friendly conversation is interrupted by Fritz, who jealously questions Ottilia about her time with Otto. Otto lectures Fritz on love, kindness, and respect, and reveals that he has agreed to buy the farm from Killian, satisfying Fritz's curiosity. Ottilia defends Otto and scolds Fritz for his suspicious temper.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Otto lectures Fritz on the true measure of love being kindness, and criticizes his possessive and unequal treatment of Ottilia.

### Identity and Role

Otto reflects on his own perceived uselessness and the gap between his princely title and actual power, calling himself a 'vain show' and 'sugar in the salad'.

### Deception and Betrayal

Otto's initial concealment of his identity leads to misunderstandings, but he later reveals his purchase of the farm to satisfy Fritz's curiosity.

## Character check-ins

### Prince Otto

After a sleepless night, Otto finds solace by a waterfall, converses with Ottilia, and lectures Fritz on love and respect.

### Ottilia

Killian's daughter, who bravely approaches Otto to plead for her father and Fritz, and later defends Otto against Fritz's jealousy.

### Fritz

Ottilia's jealous suitor who confronts Otto and is lectured on the true nature of love and respect.

### Killian Gottesheim

Ottilia's father, who observes the confrontation and agrees with Otto's lecture to Fritz.

## Key lines

> Prince Otto, I am afraid, is but the moving shadow, and the name of the rock is Gondremark.

Otto feels he is merely an insubstantial figure, while the real power lies with Gondremark.

_Otto expresses his sense of powerlessness and the dominance of Gondremark in the state._

> I am full of good ingredients, but the dish is worthless. I am—I give it you in one word—sugar in the salad.

Otto compares himself to a well-intentioned but ultimately ineffective person, like sugar in a salad that spoils the dish.

_Otto uses a culinary metaphor to describe his own perceived inadequacy and lack of impact._

> Its measure is kindness. It is very possible that you are proud; but she, too, may have some self-esteem; I do not speak for myself.

Otto tells Fritz that love should be measured by kindness, and that both partners deserve respect and self-esteem.

_Otto delivers a moral lesson on the nature of love and equality in relationships._

## Links

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