The Screwtape Letters Characters & Character Analysis

The Screwtape Letters Characters

Screwtape

Screwtape is a senior devil who is the head of a department in Hell. He is a highly experienced, very subtle, very smart tempter who understands human weakness very well. While he can be affable and indulgent, understanding and even generous, his mind is never off the business at hand. He feels superior to Wormwood, his young nephew. When things are not going well and Wormwood tries to betray him, Screwtape shows his real nature: hateful, vindictive, without affection or mercy.

Screwtape is a bureaucrat. He knows how to check histories, forms, and has connections in many of the devilish offices and departments. He knows the rules and regulations and plays by them. He has influence. When Wormwood reports him for the heresy of saying God truly loves human beings, Screwtape is able to patch it up with those who might use it against him. Even though Screwtape...
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