# Picus — Armed with Madness character guide > Picus in Armed with Madness by Mary Butts. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Picus the Woodpecker, Woodpecker, Mr. Picus, the true Picus, Knowing Picus **First appearance:** 0002-armed-with-madness ## Snapshot Called the Woodpecker, Picus is a man who is also a bird, a god, and a grief, leading Scylla to a cliff where love, myth, and a skeleton share the same stream. ## Who they are Picus brings Scylla to Gault Cliff, shows her the rarest woodpecker, and speaks of Zeus and Leda as if the old stories were simply true of them. He is tender, possessive, and shadowed by an untractable grief near to wickedness that he neither names nor shares. His presence turns the recovered cup into something more than an antiquity, and his power over the group makes Carston uneasy and Felix desperate. ## Relationships ### [Dudley Carston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/dudley_carston) _rivalry_ Dudley and Picus are locked in a competitive, antagonistic struggle over Scylla's attention and the group's direction. ### [Scylla Taverner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/scylla_taverner) _romantic_ Picus is deeply infatuated with Scylla, pursuing her with intense devotion that borders on worship. ### [Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/ross) _friendship_ Picus and Ross are friendly companions, often interacting with a sense of shared mischief and loyalty. ### [Felix Taverner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/felix_taverner) _friendship_ Felix and Picus are friendly but sometimes strained, with Felix acting as a grounding influence on Picus's obsessions. ### [Lydia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/lydia) _social_ Lydia and Picus are polite acquaintances, interacting mainly through their mutual friends. ### [Scylla Taverner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/scylla_taverner) _romantic_ Picus is deeply infatuated with Scylla, pursuing her with intense devotion that borders on worship. ### [Dudley Carston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/dudley_carston) _rivalry_ Dudley and Picus are locked in a competitive, antagonistic struggle over Scylla's attention and the group's direction. ### [Felix Taverner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/felix_taverner) _friendship_ Felix and Picus are friendly but sometimes strained, with Felix acting as a grounding influence on Picus's obsessions. ### [Dudley Carston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/dudley_carston) _rivalry_ Dudley and Picus are locked in a competitive, antagonistic struggle over Scylla's attention and the group's direction. ### [Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/ross) _friendship_ Picus and Ross are friendly companions, often interacting with a sense of shared mischief and loyalty. ### [Scylla Taverner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/scylla_taverner) _romantic_ Picus is deeply infatuated with Scylla, pursuing her with intense devotion that borders on worship. ### [Felix Taverner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/felix_taverner) _friendship_ Felix and Picus are friendly but sometimes strained, with Felix acting as a grounding influence on Picus's obsessions. ## In the story ### [Armed with Madness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/armed-with-madness) A mysterious figure who confesses about the cup and performs magic to heal Scylla. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/iii) A tall, grave man who is busy with a syphon and acknowledges Scylla with a crooked finger. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as a psychic who whistles like Mozart, and as the one who retrieved the cup with a fishing spear. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/v) Models and then destroys a wax statue of Scylla; reveals the cup was found by Felix. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/vi) Rings his medicine glass during tea; asks about the cup of the Sanc-Grail. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/vii) Goes out alone for a walk, returns with Scylla; dances skillfully, uses the cup as a hat; his room is found empty of the statuette. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/viii) Picus is Scylla's lover, described as light, winged, and holy; Ross warns he is up to no good and that his actions may be a move against Clarence. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/ix) Leads the group astray, feigns sleep, vanishes and reappears, is accused of losing the others, and sits alone at dinner after being called a 'fancy-boy'. ### [The Search for the Cup](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/x) Apologizes for losing his temper; suggests the cup's absence; invites Scylla to Gault Cliff; his right hand is described as red and swollen. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xi) Leads Scylla to his secret cove, reveals his grief, and discusses Carston and the cup. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xii) Taunts Clarence and is accused by Carston of hiding the cup; his relationship with Scylla is revealed. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xiii) Played a spiteful trick on Carston, which Scylla sees as a parody of mystery and a diabolic act. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xiv) Spotted by Carston sitting alone on the hillside, looking out to sea. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xv) Referred to as Tracy's son; Carston's feelings toward him shift after meeting the father. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xvi) Ill in bed, his father reveals the cup's history; he is exposed as having taken the cup and lied about it. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xvii) Shaves and prepares himself calmly, whistling, while others are in turmoil; he feels trapped by the old man. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xviii) Confesses to taking the cup, reveals his mother's death and father's lies; experiences a transformative sense of purpose and connection. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xix) Mentioned in Scylla's thoughts regarding the meat problem. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xx) Flits off into the fog, later advises Scylla to let her back hair down and be herself. ### [Picus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/picus) Visits his mother's grave, grieves and rages, then goes to an old man's house. ### [Scylla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/scylla) Referenced in Scylla's thoughts about the house and the cup. ### [Clarence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/clarence) Absent but central to Clarence's thoughts; his model ships and card 'A present for Scylla' trigger Clarence's rage. ### [In and Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/in-and-out) Accompanies Carston to the vicar; discusses the cup, his father, and his complicated feelings for Scylla. ### [Clarence and Scylla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/clarence-and-scylla) Picus is referenced as the subject of Clarence's obsession and the statue that Clarence tortures; Scylla calls out his name for help. ### [Carston and Clarence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/carston-and-clarence) Arrives at Tollerdown, takes responsibility for the events, destroys his own statue, and heals Scylla. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/picus - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters