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King Ottokar's Sceptre: Is the name "Ottokar" derived from "Ottoman" ?

celalli
Member
#1 · Posted: 16 Jan 2006 22:28
In King Ottokar’s Sceptre, there is a crescent and a star on one of soldier’s shield in the XVth century miniature which depicts the battle of Zileheroum.
It made me to wonder if Hergé was inspired by the name Ottoman for Ottokar?
If not, is there anyone who knows the origin of Ottokar?
jock123
Moderator
#2 · Posted: 16 Jan 2006 23:19
Ottokar is a real name, and not made up by Hergé; there were even real Bohemian kings called Ottokar - or rather “Otakar”. Otakar I was the son of “Good” King Wenceslaus, and his sceptre is held in a vault in a cathedral in Prague.

The Ottoman Empire was named after Osman I, the first emperor. Apparently Osman is ʿUthmān in Arabic, and from that we get Ottoman.
yamilah
Member
#3 · Posted: 4 Feb 2006 12:57
celalli
is there anyone who knows the origin of Ottokar?

According to the book Tintin reads before flying to Syldavia, this king is reportedly not to be confused with Ottokar I Przemysl, Duke and King of Bohemia (Ottokar's Sceptre, p.7, C2).
About this real Ottokar, see http://www.phil.uni-passau.de/histhw/stadtgeschichte/francais/Ottokar. html

Considering 'Bohemiens'* live in Bohemia but are also seen by Herge as being synonymous with Romany** in the original Castafiore Emerald*, Ottokar's name also has an Indian* origin, when it comes to Tintin's unique world.


* please search for related threads.

** Romany originates from a Sanskrit -hence Indian- name, Rom, that means 'man'.
Levent
Member
#4 · Posted: 10 Aug 2006 14:38
Ottokar means Oscar, as Ottoman means Osman.
Tintin Quiz
Member
#5 · Posted: 10 Aug 2006 19:28
And of course, Ottokar is "auto car," one of many notable names in the American Editions: http://tintin.eugraph.com/tqsect/feature/names

BTW, is the name Ottokar in the original French?
yamilah
Member
#6 · Posted: 10 Aug 2006 19:49
Tintin Quiz
BTW, is the name Ottokar in the original French?

The original reads Le Sceptre d'Ottokar, no 'King' is mentioned.

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