# Clarence and Scylla explained — Armed with Madness

> Chapter companion for Armed with Madness by Mary Butts.

## What happens

Scylla travels to Tollerdown to find Clarence, who has become violently obsessed with Picus. He has tortured a clay statue of Picus and shot a gull. When Scylla arrives, Clarence threatens to throw her down the well, ties her to the statue, and shoots arrows at her, wounding her before she faints.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power, Manipulation, and Jealousy

Clarence's violent jealousy and manipulation of Scylla and Picus dominate the chapter, as he uses physical force and threats to assert control.

### Sexuality and Desire

Clarence's obsession with Picus and his possessive, violent desire for Scylla intertwine with themes of erotic jealousy and bodily vulnerability.

### Isolation and Community

Scylla's journey to the isolated Tollerdown and Clarence's solitary, deranged actions highlight the breakdown of community and the dangers of isolation.

## Character check-ins

### Scylla Taverner

Scylla travels to Tollerdown, confronts Clarence, and is violently attacked and wounded by him.

### Clarence

Clarence is in a violent, obsessive state, having tortured a clay statue of Picus and shot a gull; he threatens Scylla and shoots arrows at her.

### Picus

Picus is referenced as the subject of Clarence's obsession and the statue that Clarence tortures; Scylla calls out his name for help.

### Nanna

Nanna is mentioned as having driven in on the baker's cart and arguing about preserving sugar.

### Felix Taverner

Felix is mentioned as being partial to raspberry jam, which Nanna is making.

### Lydia

Lydia is mentioned as having sent a silly letter because she is in love with Clarence.

## Key lines

> “Going to marry me, are you? You shall in a way. I mean to follow you down the well.”

Clarence threatens Scylla that she will marry him by being thrown into the well.

_Clarence's twisted proposal reveals his violent intent and his obsession with the well._

> She saw Picus in greenish clay, pricked with white feathers. Clarence had made him exactly as he was, a body she had known, for which hers ached.

Scylla sees the clay statue of Picus that Clarence has pierced with arrows, a replica of the real Picus she desires.

_The statue symbolizes Clarence's jealousy and Scylla's longing for Picus._

> She made a supreme effort: not to scream much: not to betray herself. Then a moment of absolute contempt of Clarence. Then of pain. Then, as if she were looking out of a window, into a state, a clarté the other side of forgiveness.

Scylla struggles to remain silent and composed, feeling contempt for Clarence before succumbing to pain and a transcendent clarity beyond forgiveness.

_Scylla's internal experience during the attack suggests a moment of spiritual or psychological transcendence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/clarence-and-scylla
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/armed_with_madness_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters