# Spadevil explained — A Voyage to Arcturus

> Chapter companion for A Voyage to Arcturus by David Lindsay.

## What happens

Maskull, having acquired new organs that alter his perception, joins Spadevil and Tydomin on a journey to Sant. Spadevil preaches a doctrine of duty over pleasure, criticizing the followers of Hator for their pride and hypocrisy. They encounter Catice, who condemns Spadevil and Tydomin to death for backsliding. Maskull is forced to execute them, but after his own organ is destroyed, he renounces Spadevil's teaching, seeing the world as a charnel house and questioning the value of duty and pleasure.

## Themes in this chapter

### Pleasure vs. Pain

Spadevil's doctrine rejects pleasure entirely, advocating duty and pain as the path to truth; Maskull's transformation eliminates the meaning of pleasure and pain, leading to a loathing of the world.

### The Illusion of Self

Spadevil argues that studying oneself is ignoble and that true life comes from despising soul and body; Maskull's new perception makes him exist for external things rather than them existing for him.

### The Nature of God and Creation

Catice claims Surtur (Shaping) is the greatest lie; Spadevil's truth is seen as a seed that will destroy evil, suggesting a cosmic struggle between Shaping and Muspel.

## Character check-ins

### Maskull

Acquires new organs that eliminate pleasure and pain; initially follows Spadevil, but after his probe is destroyed, he renounces Spadevil's teaching and sees the world as a charnel house.

### Spadevil

Preaches iron obedience to duty and rejection of pleasure; leads Maskull and Tydomin to Sant, where he accepts martyrdom at Catice's hands.

### Tydomin

Accompanies Spadevil and Maskull; expresses doubts and a vision of their deaths, but remains loyal; is stoned alongside Spadevil.

### Catice

A zealous follower of Hator who condemns Spadevil as a backslider and forces Maskull to execute him and Tydomin.

### Hator

Ancient brooder whose doctrines of pain and hatred of pleasure are referenced; his followers in Sant are criticized for vanity and pride.

## Key lines

> We have been fools. So near the light all the time, and we never guessed it. Always buried in the past or future⁠—systematically ignoring the present⁠—and now it turns out that apart from the present we have no life at all.

Maskull realizes that focusing on past and future has blinded them to the present, which is the only true source of life.

_Maskull's new organs reveal the importance of the present moment._

> I now see straight. Henceforward, as long as I live, I shall fight with my nature, and refuse to feel pleasure. And I advise you to do the same.

After his probe is destroyed, Maskull claims to see clearly and vows to reject pleasure, urging Tydomin to do likewise.

_Maskull's physical alteration leads to a renunciation of pleasure._

> Love is but pleasure once removed. Think not of pleasing others, but of serving them.

Spadevil warns that love is merely a form of pleasure and advises focusing on duty rather than pleasing others.

_Spadevil's doctrine equates love with pleasure and prioritizes duty._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_voyage_to_arcturus_se/chapters/xii-spadevil
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_voyage_to_arcturus_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_voyage_to_arcturus_se/chapters