# Scipio Le Moyne — The Virginian character guide

> Scipio Le Moyne in The Virginian by Owen Wister.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Scipio, the prompt Scipio, the complete Scipio, Presently Scipio, Scipio Le Moyne

**First appearance:** 0019-xvii-scipio-moralizes

## Snapshot

A sharp-eyed, wry-tongued cowboy whose running commentary on Trampas and the Virginian gives the camp its clearest reading of the trouble brewing.

## Who they are

Scipio Le Moyne is the friend who watches the Virginian sleep like a child while the men around him are on the ragged edge of mutiny, and who tells the narrator plainly what he thinks. He reckons Trampas will pull his freight, casual-like, and he argues that beating a man at his own game is all the revenge a man who isn't a hog could want. His dry, patient voice turns camp gossip into something close to prophecy.

## Relationships

### [The Virginian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/the_virginian)

_friendship_

Scipio is a loyal and witty friend to the Virginian, often helping him in conflicts and adventures.

### [Trampas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/trampas)

_rivalry_

Scipio and Trampas are adversaries, with Scipio often opposing Trampas's dishonesty and bullying.

### [Trampas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/trampas)

_rivalry_

Scipio and Trampas are adversaries, with Scipio often opposing Trampas's dishonesty and bullying.

### [The Virginian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/the_virginian)

_friendship_

Scipio is a loyal and witty friend to the Virginian, often helping him in conflicts and adventures.

### [The Virginian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/the_virginian)

_friendship_

Scipio is a loyal and witty friend to the Virginian, often helping him in conflicts and adventures.

### [Trampas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/trampas)

_rivalry_

Scipio and Trampas are adversaries, with Scipio often opposing Trampas's dishonesty and bullying.

## In the story

### [XIV: Between the Acts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xiv-between-the-acts)

Traveler from Gallipolis, Ohio, hired by the Virginian after missing the train.

### [XV: The Game and the Nation—Act Second](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xv-the-game-and-the-nation-act-second)

Hired as cook after being recognized from a previous encounter; uses wit to deflect Trampas's recruitment efforts.

### [XVI: The Game and the Nation—Last Act](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xvi-the-game-and-the-nation-last-act)

Observes the Virginian's actions and realizes he is setting up a confrontation with Trampas.

### [XVII: Scipio Moralizes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xvii-scipio-moralizes)

Moralizes about the Virginian's situation, arguing that the conflict with Trampas is not over and that the Virginian will eventually reckon with him. He shows shrewd insight and a protective, advisory role toward the narrator.

### [XXI: In a State of Sin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xxi-in-a-state-of-sin)

Scipio helps the Virginian move to the foreman's cabin and hints at an impending confrontation between the Virginian and Trampas, but refuses to disclose details.

### [Various Points](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xxiii-various-points)

Close friend and fellow cowboy; discusses Trampas and Shorty with the Virginian; shows a philosophical side.

### [A Letter with a Moral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xxiv-a-letter-with-a-moral)

Briefly interrupts the Virginian's letter-writing to call him to dinner.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/scipio_le_moyne
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters