Scytale Character Analysis in Dune Messiah

Scytale is a Tleilaxu Face Dancer and a member of the Guild conspiracy. To trick Paul Atreides into going to Sietch Tabr to retrieve Bijaz, Scytale disguises himself as Lichna. After Chani dies leaving Paul a daughter and son, Scytale tries to bargain with Paul, offering to revive Chani as a ghola in exchange for control of Paul’s empire. During this negotiation, Paul kills Scytale after acquiring sudden access to his newborn son’s vision.

Scytale Quotes in Dune Messiah

The Dune Messiah quotes below are all either spoken by Scytale or refer to Scytale . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

“[Paul] was a creature who had developed firmly into one pattern. He’d destroy himself before changing into the opposite of that pattern. That had been the way with the Tleilaxu kwisatz haderach. It’d be the way with this one. And then…the ghola.”

Related Characters: Scytale (speaker), Edric , Hayt (Duncan Idaho) , Paul Atreides (Muad’Dib)

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 209

Explanation and Analysis:

Ahhh, that’s why they gave me Idaho as a ghola, to let me discover how much the recreation is like the original. But now—full restoration…at their price. I’d be a Tleilaxu forevermore. And Chani…chained to the same fate by a threat to our children, exposed once more to the Qizarate’s plotting.

Related Characters: Paul Atreides (Muad’Dib) (speaker), Chani , Hayt (Duncan Idaho) , Scytale

Page Number and Citation: 320

Explanation and Analysis:

Scytale Character Timeline in Dune Messiah

The timeline below shows where the character Scytale appears in Dune Messiah. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...Wallach IX, the members of the conspiracy Guild meet to plot to overthrow Muad’Dib. Though Scytale (from the Tleilaxu sect of the Imperium) plots to destroy Muad’Dib, he privately feels that... (full context)

Scytale reflects that the Bene Gesserit chose the setting—a spacious dome on a snowy planet—so as... (full context)

Scytale insinuates that, despite their training, the Bene Gesserit do not know about deception. The Reverend... (full context)

...but not Muad’Dib himself. The conspiracy against Muad’Dib can only take place in Edric’s presence. Scytale says that the Guild can shape the future. He and the Reverend Mother agree that... (full context)

...must not find out. He reminds Princess Irulan that Muad’Dib has never shown her warmth. Scytale indicates to the Princess that Edric holds sway in their conspiracy; he knows that the... (full context)

After thinking about the tempting prize of mothering a dynasty, Princess Irulan asks Scytale if he always gives his victims a possible escape, and Scytale assents. Edric says that... (full context)

Edric says that every religious and political question boils down to who will exercise power. Scytale and the Reverend Mother silently agree that Edric is their weakness. Edric tells Princess Irulan... (full context)

...Princess Irulan’s father’s army had preserved Duncan Idaho’s body and then sent it to the Tleilaxu—Scytale’s people. the Tleilaxu sold the revived corpse—now named Hayt—to Edric because they already had their... (full context)

Scytale says that emotions cloud the mutual fear that prompted this meeting; they cannot pass beyond... (full context)

Scytale says that Hayt will also make Alia attracted to him. Scytale says that if Muad’Dib... (full context)

On Dune, an old man with blue eyes stands in his doorway staring suspiciously at Scytale. Semuta music—a music that could infiltrate a person’s brain and fill it with memories— issues... (full context)

The old man asks Scytale’s name. Scytale responds “Zaal”—his given name for this mission—and the old man introduces himself as... (full context)

Scytale senses wisdom and loyalty in Farok and follows Farok to some cushions. They sit. Farok... (full context)

In riddled language, Scytale insinuates that he wants to talk about Muad’Dib’s Keep. Farok evades his inquiry and explains... (full context)

...Muad’Dib implants wave translators inside men so they can carry messages indecipherable by political cryptology. Scytale asks if the Fremen people objected to making the Muad’Dib their god. Farok says that... (full context)

Farok’s son ends his song and starts another. Scytale asks Farok if he found the sea. After a long pause, Farok tells of the... (full context)

Scytale feels uneasy when he realizes that he can’t remember when Farok’s son stopped singing. Farok... (full context)

Farok says that they have the woman, and Scytale asks to see her. Farok’s son starts playing the violin, and a Fremen woman appears,... (full context)

Scytale raises his arm, and a needle darts from his sleeve and embeds in Farok’s neck.... (full context)

...and questions Paul about his father’s death. Paul wonders why Edric is opening old wounds. Scytale’s laughing eyes make Paul uneasy. Edric states his pleasure that Chani enjoyed the Guild’s performance... (full context)

...Paul’s intentions. Stilgar asks Paul if they are to assassinate Edric; Paul says no. As Scytale pushes Edric’s tank toward the door, he tells Paul that he thinks people cling to... (full context)

When Scytale and Edric are gone, Stilgar remarks that Scytale’s comment was odd. Paul dims the lights... (full context)

Scytale assures Edric that he came in disguise. Edric thinks it is reckless that Scytale believes... (full context)

Edric recoils in agitation. Scytale is filled with revulsion for him and reflects on the incompatibility of the members of... (full context)

Edric feels confined and anxious. Scytale says that the Jihad lays a track in the sand, but every morning, the sand... (full context)

Edric kicks his webbed feet. Scytale says that the Jihad will explode and scatter bits into the universe. He asserts that... (full context)

...semuta. Paul greets the girl. This is the “ultimate test” for the girl (who is Scytale in the disguise of a girl Paul knew in childhood). Scytale, who has never played... (full context)

Scytale-as-Lichna says that she was told to stay in Arrakis. Paul says that he will visit... (full context)

...says that she has brought Lichna. Turning, Paul says that it is not Lichna but Scytale, the Face Dancer. His voice sounding nothing like Lichna’s, the disguised Scytale asks if the... (full context)

...wills that Idaho will not succumb to violence, or else the babies will be killed. Scytale starts bargaining with Paul, offering to revive Chani as a ghola with full memory. Paul... (full context)

...from the vantage point of his son. He sees himself standing across the room, and Scytale’s knife pointing into the cradle inches from Paul’s son’s face. Paul takes out his knife.... (full context)

...door. Paul tells Idaho to kill Bijaz if he comes any closer. Bijaz says that Scytale’s plan is not dead; if Bijaz can find the right trigger, he will access the... (full context)

Scytale Character Analysis

Scytale Quotes in Dune Messiah

Chapter 15 Quotes

Chapter 23 Quotes

Scytale Character Timeline in Dune Messiah