# Scylla Taverner — Armed with Madness character guide > Scylla Taverner in Armed with Madness by Mary Butts. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Scylla, More Scylla, Scylla Trio, Miss Scylla **First appearance:** 0002-armed-with-madness ## Snapshot Scylla Taverner wants everything to happen to its last possibility, brooding situations until they hatch, and she will not tone life down for anyone's comfort. ## Who they are Scylla presides over the household at Tollerdown with an airy freedom that scandalizes her married friends Philip and Lydia, who arrive to lecture her about the men she keeps around her. Jealous Lydia once wanted Clarence herself, and their operatic confrontation over respectability exposes how much Scylla's refusal to be managed costs her socially. Her appetite for vision over routine, and her bond with Picus, drive the group toward whatever the cup and spear are about to set loose. ## Relationships ### [Dudley Carston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/dudley_carston) _psychological_ Dudley is obsessively drawn to Scylla, viewing her as a mystical figure he both desires and fears, creating a tense, manipulative dynamic. ### [Picus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/picus) _romantic_ Picus is deeply infatuated with Scylla, pursuing her with intense devotion that borders on worship. ### [Lydia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/lydia) _friendship_ Lydia is a loyal friend to Scylla, offering support and companionship amid the group's tensions. ### [Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/ross) _friendship_ Ross is a warm, supportive friend to Scylla, though their interactions are less intense than others'. ### [Phil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/phil) _friendship_ Phil is a kind, supportive friend to Scylla, though their bond is less central than others'. ### [Felix Taverner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/felix_taverner) _family_ Felix and Scylla are siblings, sharing a close but occasionally contentious bond as brother and sister. ### [the doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/the_doctor) _professional_ Scylla visits the doctor for consultations, maintaining a formal but respectful patient-doctor relationship. ### [Dudley Carston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/dudley_carston) _psychological_ Dudley is obsessively drawn to Scylla, viewing her as a mystical figure he both desires and fears, creating a tense, manipulative dynamic. ### [Dudley Carston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/dudley_carston) _psychological_ Dudley is obsessively drawn to Scylla, viewing her as a mystical figure he both desires and fears, creating a tense, manipulative dynamic. ### [Picus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/picus) _romantic_ Picus is deeply infatuated with Scylla, pursuing her with intense devotion that borders on worship. ### [Picus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/picus) _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_ Ross is a warm, supportive friend to Scylla, though their interactions are less intense than others'. ## In the story ### [Armed with Madness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/armed-with-madness) A key member of the household who is rescued by Carston from Clarence's attack. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/i) Sister of Felix, called Scylla from Drusilla; described as sometimes a witch and sometimes a bitch; watches her brother swim with anxiety, then feeds an anemone. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/ii) Scylla walks alone to Starn to meet the American, feeling burdened by her role as the sole stay of the men and troubled by a sense of broken continuity. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/iii) The hostess, who is amused by the stone age references and seems distracted by the men's absence. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/iv) Described by Felix as a woman who broods situations until they hatch, seeking the last possibility of experience. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/v) Subject of Picus's wax statue; Carston's desire for her intensifies. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/vi) Explains the group's despair and the nature of their adventures; leads the conversation about memory and imagination. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/vii) Returns from the storm with Picus, laughing and wet; dances and flirts with Carston; later receives a visitor in her room. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/viii) Scylla walks ahead with Ross, defends her relationship with Picus, and reveals Picus has given her the cup. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/ix) Appears with Picus and Ross at the inn, touches Picus's sleeve, and calls Clarence's attention away from Picus. ### [The Search for the Cup](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/x) Participates in the search; agrees to go with Picus to Gault Cliff; her passion for Picus is noted by Carston. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xi) Accompanies Picus, identifies the woodpecker as Zeus, and reflects on their love and the situation with Carston. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xii) Defends herself and Picus, dismisses Carston's accusations with a sneer. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xiii) Reflects on Picus's trick, her own emotions, and later shares a tender moment with Felix while cleaning fish. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xiv) Seen passing upstairs with her brother; Carston writes off his romance with her as a bad job. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xv) Mentioned in Carston's thoughts and dreams; part of the group seeking something lost. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xvi) Rebukes Carston for his cruelty, tries to manage Mr. Tracy's visit, reflects on Picus's deceptions. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xvii) Engages Carston in a deep philosophical discussion about materialism and the loss of meaning; feels stifled and alone. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xviii) Expresses tiredness and boredom; confronts Picus about his actions; agrees to walk with Picus to fetch fish. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xix) Scylla identifies the 'herring sky' and anticipates the storm with animal pleasure; she worries about the wood below Gault and the fish supply. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/xx) Takes Carston to see the storm's aftermath, shows concern for her brother Felix, and is accused by him of living in denial. ### [Felix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/felix) Referenced indirectly as the one who 'reckoned for vengeance' through the American boy Felix is with. ### [Picus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/picus) Picus thinks of her with longing and fear, recalling her words about his mother. ### [Scylla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/scylla) Visits Lydia in London, feels alienated and defensive about her life and friendships. ### [Lydia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/lydia) Is up and dined last night, seeming well and a little mysterious; rumored to be marrying Clarence. ### [Clarence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/clarence) Object of Clarence's intense loathing and jealousy; he draws and pierces her image in a fit of madness. ### [Mr. Tracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/mr-tracy) Referenced as the recipient of the cup via gift from Mr. Tracy's son. ### [In and Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/in-and-out) Mentioned as the object of both Carston's and Picus's affections; described as having had a hard life. ### [Clarence and Scylla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/clarence-and-scylla) Scylla travels to Tollerdown, confronts Clarence, and is violently attacked and wounded by him. ### [Carston and Clarence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/chapters/carston-and-clarence) Bound and shot by Clarence; rescued by Carston and healed by Picus. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters/scylla_taverner - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/armed_with_madness_se/characters