# Corsus — The Worm Ouroboros character guide

> Corsus in The Worm Ouroboros by E. R. Eddison.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Duke Corsus, the old Duke Corsus, Corsus Vizz

**First appearance:** 0005-ii-the-wrastling-for-demonland

## Snapshot

An aging Witchland duke who masks his cunning behind bluster and wine, weighing his daughter's ambitions against the rising fortunes of younger men.

## Who they are

Corsus commands Owlswick and a seat at Carcë's council table, but he feels the world slipping toward the young—Corinius, Laxus, and above all Corund, whose marriage to Prezmyra has made him the King's favorite. He locks his wife away and drinks with his daughter Sriva, confessing that he sees no profit in striving further. Yet his apparent resignation conceals a calculating mind that understands exactly how power is shifting around him.

## Relationships

### [Corinius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/characters/corinius)

_rivalry_

Corinius and Corsus are bitter enemies and political rivals, often clashing over power and influence in Witchland.

### [Corinius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/characters/corinius)

_rivalry_

Corinius and Corsus are bitter enemies and political rivals, often clashing over power and influence in Witchland.

### [Corinius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/characters/corinius)

_rivalry_

Corinius and Corsus are bitter enemies and political rivals, often clashing over power and influence in Witchland.

## In the story

### [VI: The Claws of Witchland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters/vi-the-claws-of-witchland)

Carries out the King's order to net the Demons.

### [VII: Guests of the King in Carcë](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters/vii-guests-of-the-king-in-carc)

Corsus is drunk at the banquet, sings a song, and quarrels with the dwarf, biting his thumb.

### [Queen Prezmyra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters/xv-queen-prezmyra)

Mentioned as Sriva's father, to whom she goes to impart something.

### [XVI: The Lady Sriva’s Embassage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters/xvi-the-lady-sriva-s-embassage)

Sends his daughter to the King to secure the expedition for himself, acting out of drunkenness and political rivalry.

### [The King Flies His Haggard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters/xvii-the-king-flies-his-haggard)

Chosen to lead the invasion of Demonland; marches at the head of his veterans and sails from Tenemos.

### [The Murther of Gallandus by Corsus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters/xviii-the-murther-of-gallandus-by-corsus)

Corsus is the commander in Demonland who loses a battle at the Rapes of Brima, then murders Gallandus in his sleep, leading to a mutiny.

### [Thremnir’s Heugh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters/xix-thremnir-s-heugh)

Holds Owlswick Castle with his sons, feasting within while Spitfire besieges it.

### [XX: King Corinius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters/xx-king-corinius)

Forced to crown Corinius, then exiled with his sons; plots revenge but submits to Corinius's power.

### [Tidings of Melikaphkhaz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters/xxx-tidings-of-melikaphkhaz)

Sits drunk in his chair during the council.

### [The Latter End of All the Lords of Witchland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters/xxxii-the-latter-end-of-all-the-lords-of-witchland)

Urges peace at the council, is dismissed by the King, but later reconciles and drinks to the King's sorcery.

### [Argument: With Dates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters/argument-with-dates)

Commands the expedition to Demonland; murders Gallandus; degraded by the King; later attempts to poison Corinius and others; slain by Corinius.

### [Bibliographical Note on the Verses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters/bibliographical-note-on-the-verses)

Corsus's ditties from the Roxburgh Ballads and Anacreonta.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/characters/corsus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/characters