Beelzebub Character Analysis in The Cursed (Coven of Bones Book 2)

Overview

Beelzebub is an archdemon under Lucifer Morningstar in The Cursed (Coven of Bones Book 2). He first appears as a ruthless enforcer, killing Willow Hecate on Lucifer’s orders, but later becomes a protector of Margot Devoe in Hell. His arc moves from unquestioning obedience toward reluctant care, revealing layers of conflict beneath his cold exterior.

Plot Role

Beelzebub is introduced in Chapter 1 as the instrument of Willow’s death. When Willow opens the seal and tries to flee, Beelzebub snaps her neck on Lucifer’s command—a brutal act that sets the entire story in motion. Lucifer immediately regrets the order, screaming “No!” as Willow falls (Chapter 1). Beelzebub later explains to Willow that he didn’t know of the change in plans (Chapter 4), showing he operates on direct orders.

Throughout Part One, Beelzebub serves as a barrier: he intercepts Willow’s escape into the woods (Chapter 4), accuses her of enchanting Gray, and remains visibly resentful toward her (Chapter 41). In the climactic scene (Chapter 44), when Margot is thrown into the Hell pit, Beelzebub dives after her without hesitation, carrying her to safety. The epilogue places him in the First Circle (Limbo), where he tends to Margot and asks her to stitch his torn wing. His role shifts from killer to guardian.

Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions

Beelzebub’s primary motivation appears to be loyalty to Lucifer. He carries out orders without questioning the morality of killing an innocent witch. When confronted by Willow, he shrugs off her death as an apology—not remorse, but acknowledgment of a mistake (Chapter 4). His disinterest and condescension (“I see you, Willow Hecate. I’m not impressed”) show a demon who believes witches are beneath him.

However, his actions in Hell contradict his earlier demeanor. Diving after Margot is purely voluntary; no one commands him. He flies while injured, refuses to let demons reach her, and carries her to his palace. He does not revert to cruelty even when given power over a defenseless witch. This suggests that beneath his ruthless mask lies a capacity for protectiveness, triggered by his growing attraction to Margot.

Traits: obedient, formidable, initially emotionless, physically imposing (leathery wings, glowing runes), later showing gentleness and vulnerability (asking Margot to stitch his wing, calling her “Songbird”).

Chronological Arc

Prologue/Chapter 1: Beelzebub appears during Willow’s escape from Gray. He snaps her neck as per Lucifer’s earlier command.
Chapter 2: Lucifer forces his blood into Willow to revive her; Beelzebub assists by cutting his arm.
Chapter 4: Beelzebub intercepts Willow in the woods, accuses her of enchanting Gray. Gray orders him to let her go.
Chapter 17: Beelzebub seems absent; later chapters note his “continued resentment” toward Willow (Chapter 41).
Chapter 25: Willow learns Margot may be under Beelzebub’s influence; she grows concerned.
Chapter 40: The hedge maze trial; Beelzebub is present in the background, not yet acting.
Chapter 43: Gray sends Beelzebub ahead to the Tribunal when Willow is stabbed.
Chapter 44 (climax): Beelzebub dives after Margot into the Hell pit, followed by Jonathan in his Cursed form. He shields Margot, then flies her to safety in a crooked path due to his torn wing.
Epilogue (Chapter 51): Beelzebub carries Margot through the First Circle to his onyx palace. He asks her to tend to his wing wound and calls her “Songbird,” revealing his affectionate term for her. Margot realizes her song magic may have enchanted him.

Relationships

Lucifer: Master-servant. Beelzebub follows orders unquestioningly, even when those orders lead to killing. After Lucifer revives Willow, Beelzebub remains loyal but shows subtle tension (“I wasn’t aware of the change in plans”). Later, he obeys Gray’s commands to fetch Iban.

Gray: While Beelzebub works for Lucifer, he also takes orders from Gray, who is Lucifer. He does not challenge Gray’s authority, though his resentment toward Willow puts him at odds.

Willow: Antagonistic. Beelzebub kills her, mocks her, accuses her of enchantment. She never forgives him; their interactions are hostile.

Margot: The most significant relationship. Margot first reports Beelzebub’s respectful distance (Chapter 11). In Hell, Beelzebub becomes her protector. He flies her to his palace, asks her to stitch his wing, and insists she will tend to him. His vulnerability contrasts with his earlier disdain. Margot fears her song magic has stripped his free will, suggesting a bond complicated by enchantment.

Other Archdemons: Beelzebub interacts with Asmodeus, Satanus, and Leviathan as peers. He commands lesser demons (the palace servant is called “sire”). He fits into the hierarchy without standing out.

Key Decisions and Consequences

Killing Willow (ordered): Consequences: Willow dies, Lucifer revives her, Beelzebub earns Willow’s undying hatred. This act cements his role as a villain in her mind and makes his later protection of Margot more startling.
Diving after Margot (voluntary): Consequences: He leaves the battlefield, risks his own life, and lands in Hell with no guarantee of return. This decision shifts his allegiance from pure obedience to personal choice, aligning him with Margot’s survival.
Flying Margot to his palace (post-climax): He chooses to take her to safety in his own domain, using his authority to protect her from other demons. This paves the way for their future dynamic and possibly redemption.
Allowing Margot to stitch his wing: He shows vulnerability, trusting her not to harm him. This act deepens their connection and may eventually break the enchantment or complicate it.

Connections to Themes and Symbols

Betrayal and Deception: Beelzebub embodies the covenant’s deception; he kills Willow under false pretenses of Lucifer’s orders. Later, his apparent betrayal of Lucifer (protecting Margot) is ambiguous.
Sacrifice and Duty: His dive into Hell is a sacrifice—he leaves the earthly plane and endures physical pain. Duty initially compels him, but later he acts from personal desire.
Power and Control: Beelzebub’s physical power is immense (killing with a snap), yet Margot’s song magic enforces a different kind of control—unwittingly stripping his free will.
Love vs. Duty: His duty to Lucifer conflicts with his emerging feelings for Margot. Choosing to protect her signals a preference for love over obedience.
Free Will vs. Fate: Margot’s concern that she enchanted him raises the theme of free will. Beelzebub’s actions might not be his own, yet his voluntary rescue suggests agency.

5 Book-Specific Questions and Answers

Q1: Why does Beelzebub kill Willow in Chapter 1? A: He acts on Lucifer’s earlier orders. When Willow tries to escape after the seal opens, Beelzebub snaps her neck, believing she is still meant to die. Lucifer later shouts “No!” and revives her, indicating the order was outdated.

Q2: Does Beelzebub ever apologize to Willow, and how does she react? A: He says “I apologize” in Chapter 4, but adds that he wasn’t aware of the change in plans. Willow does not accept this; she screams at him and later shoves him, causing him to stumble temporarily.

Q3: Why does Beelzebub dive into Hell after Margot? A: When Iban opens the seal and Margot is thrown into the pit, Beelzebub jumps after her without waiting for orders. He protects her from demons below, then flies her to the First Circle. His actions are driven by his growing affection for her, possibly influenced by her song magic.

Q4: What nickname does Beelzebub give Margot, and why is she uncomfortable with it? A: He calls her “Songbird.” Margot later reveals that the nickname originates from the moment he first saw her—she was humming, and her song magic enchanted him. She fears she has stripped his free will, making every kind action suspect.

Q5: How does Beelzebub’s wing get torn, and who stitches it? A: During the chaos in Hell, something scrapes down his wing, tearing the membrane. In the epilogue, Beelzebub asks Margot to stitch it, trusting her even though she protests she is not a healer. The act symbolizes vulnerability and the start of a reciprocal care dynamic.