# Clarence — Armed with Madness character guide

> Clarence in Armed with Madness by Mary Butts.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** XVII Clarence, old Clarence

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

Clarence, subtle-minded and self-dramatizing, walks the high turf petting phantoms of Picus and casting Scylla as vanity, lechery, falsehood, and malice.

## Who they are

Clarence is entangled with the Carston family and with Scylla, who considers seducing him simply to shut his mouth before he bitches things further. He assumes a form from inside and makes the world fit it, a habit Scylla calls medievalist, and he nurses grievances against Picus with a martyr's relish. His jealous scheming and his readiness to play Philoctetes make him a quiet threat to whatever fragile peace the group still has.

## In the story

### [Armed with Madness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/armed-with-madness)

A volatile member who suffers a breakdown and attacks Scylla, later led away by Picus.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/iii)

A tall, dark man who kisses Scylla's hand goodnight.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/iv)

Noted as doing all the work while Picus claimed illness, and as someone who fights for Picus out of fear.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/v)

Dreams of Picus and the grail; feels shy and ill-adjusted, worries about being seen through.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/vi)

Agrees with Felix about bad drawing; is mentioned in relation to Picus's despair.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/vii)

Uneasy and petulant during the storm, plays the gramophone, later shows jealousy and self-pity regarding Picus.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/viii)

Clarence is mentioned as someone Picus is afraid of and who might be affected by Picus's actions.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/ix)

Leads the group at one point, worries about Picus, wets a handkerchief for Picus's head, and follows Picus out after the confrontation.

### [The Search for the Cup](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/x)

His room is full of frivolities; Carston pities him without humor.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xii)

Hides his face in pain as Picus chatters, escaping into a grey land of suffering.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xv)

Appears in Carston's dreamlike vision; part of the group's dynamic.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xvi)

Refuses to manage Picus, slips away to warn him, mentioned in Scylla's rebuke.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xvii)

Consumed by jealousy and paranoia, he imagines Picus betraying him and wanders off with his gun, petting phantoms.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xviii)

Skinning rabbits with Nanna; speaks of a broken heart and wretched feelings.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xx)

Yawns during Felix's outburst, plans to go to the cottage to prevent damp.

### [Picus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/picus)

Picus worries that his own actions caused Clarence's decline.

### [Scylla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/scylla)

Mentioned as a former romantic interest of Lydia and a current friend of Scylla.

### [Lydia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/lydia)

Recipient of Lydia's letter; possibly planning to marry Scylla.

### [Clarence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/clarence)

Alone at his cottage, Clarence experiences profound fear, rage, and a breakdown, destroying a model ship meant for Scylla.

### [Clarence and Scylla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/clarence-and-scylla)

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.

### [Carston and Clarence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/carston-and-clarence)

In a violent, delusional state; shoots Scylla and is tricked into dropping the cup into the well.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/clarence
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters