--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What makes thou there, thou fierce, thou…" description: "\"“What makes thou there, thou fierce, thou cruel basilisk of these mountains! comes thou to see whether the wounds of this murdered wretch will bleed af..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/875/cervantes-19288_quote_what-makes-thou-there-thou-fierce-thou-c_334107.jpg" --- # What makes thou there, thou fierce, thou cruel basilisk of… ![“What makes thou there, thou fierce, thou cruel basilisk of these mountains! comes thou to see whether the wounds of this murdered wretch will bleed afresh at thy presence? or comes thou, thus mounted aloft, to glory in the fatal effects of thy native inhumanity, like another Nero at the sight of…” quote by Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/875/cervantes-19288_quote_what-makes-thou-there-thou-fierce-thou-c_334107.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/875/cervantes-19288_quote_what-makes-thou-there-thou-fierce-thou-c_334107.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/875/cervantes-19288_quote_what-makes-thou-there-thou-fierce-thou-c_334107.jpg) > ““What makes thou there, thou fierce, thou cruel basilisk of these mountains! comes thou to see whether the wounds of this murdered wretch will bleed afresh at thy presence? or comes thou, thus mounted aloft, to glory in the fatal effects of thy native inhumanity, like another Nero at the sight of flaming Rome? Or is it to trample on this unfortunate corpse, as Tarquin's ungrateful daughter did her father's? Tell us quickly why thou comest, and what thou yet desirest?”” [Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cervantes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker questions a terrifying creature’s motives, contrasting destructive power with curiosity about suffering, and invokes historical cruelty to provoke explanation. **In simple terms:** A fearsome being is challenged to reveal its purpose. Key Takeaway Demand answers from powerful forces. Themes power curiosity violence history morality Mood serious thoughtful dramatic Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - political oppression - personal trauma - social injustice - ethical debates Key Concepts existential symbolic critical inquiry Questions to Reflect On - What does the creature symbolize? - How does history influence our view of cruelty? A Different Perspective The language is archaic and may obscure meaning for modern readers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [Wouldst thou know the lawfulness of the action which thou desirest to undertake, let thy devotion recommend it to Divine blessing: if it be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/wouldst-thou-know-the-lawfulness-of-the-action-which-thou-desirest-to/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [Why dost thou not pray... to give thee the faculty of not fearing any of the things which thou fearest, or of not desiring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/why-dost-thou-not-pray-to-give-thee-the-faculty-of-not-fearing-any-of/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Be always displeased at what thou art, if thou desirest to attain to what thou art not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/be-always-displeased-at-what-thou-art-if-thou-desirest-to-attain-to/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [“Sweet assurance of this truth is given. 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