--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I brought him here,” he said, eager to…" description: "\"“I brought him here,” he said, eager to claim credit for whatever had so overjoyed his king. “I caught him making a sacrifice to Lord Hades at your shr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d2/esther-m-friesner-8605_quote_i-brought-him-here-he-said-eager-to-clai_408974.jpg" --- # I brought him here,” he said, eager to claim credit for… ![“I brought him here,” he said, eager to claim credit for whatever had so overjoyed his king. “I caught him making a sacrifice to Lord Hades at your shrine, my lord Theseus, and when I tried to stop him--” Theseus’s laughter crushed Telys’s weak attempt at boasting. “We all know what happened when…” quote by Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d2/esther-m-friesner-8605_quote_i-brought-him-here-he-said-eager-to-clai_408974.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d2/esther-m-friesner-8605_quote_i-brought-him-here-he-said-eager-to-clai_408974.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d2/esther-m-friesner-8605_quote_i-brought-him-here-he-said-eager-to-clai_408974.jpg) > ““I brought him here,” he said, eager to claim credit for whatever had so overjoyed his king. “I caught him making a sacrifice to Lord Hades at your shrine, my lord Theseus, and when I tried to stop him--” Theseus’s laughter crushed Telys’s weak attempt at boasting. “We all know what happened when you tried to stop him, you clown,” he said, wiping his eyes. “The whole palace is talking about how you were bested by a mere boy. Well, the truth is even better.” He was off the throne and across the floor in an instant, scattering everyone who stood between him and me. He bounded behind me, grabbed the waist of my tunic with both hands, and yanked it back, hard. I’d relied on the looseness of my clothing to hide my breasts, small as they were, but now the thin cloth pulled taut against every line of my body. I might as well have been wearing nothing at all. I heard the onlookers gasp. “Why aren’t you smiling, Telys?” Theseus leered as he confronted the horror-struck young guard. “You ought to be glad. You weren’t beaten by a boy after all.”” [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A boastful guard is humbled by Theseus, who uses force and mockery to dominate, exposing power dynamics and vulnerability. **In simple terms:** Pride is crushed by stronger authority; humiliation follows. Key Takeaway Recognize humility and avoid overconfidence. Themes power humiliation pride gender violence Mood tense critical Type narrative dramatic When to use this quote - courtroom - military hierarchy - personal conflict - public spectacle Key Concepts authority masculinity body shaming Questions to Reflect On - What does this reveal about gendered power? - How can we challenge such displays of dominance? A Different Perspective The scene glorifies aggression, which can normalize violence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“Suddenly the hall rang with Theseus’s laughter. He held his sides, threw back his head, and brayed. “Ah, Lady Helen, the gods have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/suddenly-the-hall-rang-with-theseus-s-laughter-he-held-his-sides/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“You’re terrified that my father will hear that you’ve taken me prisoner. No Spartan woman marries a coward!” “Watch your tongue,” Theseus growled, his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/you-re-terrified-that-my-father-will-hear-that-you-ve-taken-me/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“You know when I said I didn't need you?" I asked. He lifted one brow. "I was so wrong.I can't find words to express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-jensen/you-know-when-i-said-i-didn-t-need-you-i-asked-he-lifted-one-brow-i/) [Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/) > [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/) [Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/) > [His fingertips slid down from my face, lightly stroking the line of my neck, down toward my shoulder. Everywhere he touched, a trail of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/his-fingertips-slid-down-from-my-face-lightly-stroking-the-line-of-my/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“Now you," Grandma barks at him. "Yes, you, the invisible truck driver," she added, giving me a wicked grin. "Go stand next to Rose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/now-you-grandma-barks-at-him-yes-you-the-invisible-truck-driver-she/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [“Damn.” Phineas turned the Big Boy off, then noticed he’d left the box on the bed. Damn, had Zoltan seen it? He stuffed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerrelyn-sparks/damn-phineas-turned-the-big-boy-off-then-noticed-he-d-left-the-box-on/) [Kerrelyn Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerrelyn-sparks/) > [“She knew how to play him so very well. He slipped his hand around hers. "Friends," he repeated roughly. Her smile was bright enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-smith/she-knew-how-to-play-him-so-very-well-he-slipped-his-hand-around-hers/) [Kathryn Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-smith/) > [“Don’t you remember how hot we were together, Lane? God.” He takes a quick breath through clenched teeth and runs his hand down my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-a-valentine/don-t-you-remember-how-hot-we-were-together-lane-god-he-takes-a-quick/) [Michelle A. Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-a-valentine/) > [“Being held by him, kissed and mastered, taken under and swept away, enthralled her in a way she—an independent woman if nothing else in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-sumner/being-held-by-him-kissed-and-mastered-taken-under-and-swept-away/) [Tracy Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-sumner/) > [“still feel the same way? Could he have changed this much on the inside too? Struggling for the right words, I opened my mouth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-wild/still-feel-the-same-way-could-he-have-changed-this-much-on-the-inside/) [Meredith Wild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-wild/) > [“Rodrigo tried to draw a deep breath, but his chest was too filled with anguish, rage and guilt. He kissed his ash-coated fingers. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-valdez/rodrigo-tried-to-draw-a-deep-breath-but-his-chest-was-too-filled-with/) [Lisa Valdez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-valdez/) > [“If it makes you feel any better, he’s been all sad doll lately too.” “What are you talking about, Chels?” Chelsea stopped walking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/if-it-makes-you-feel-any-better-he-s-been-all-sad-doll-lately-too/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“Taylor said a prayer for the man, and apologized out loud. Knowing there was nothing left to do, she turned to leave. As she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-t-ellison/taylor-said-a-prayer-for-the-man-and-apologized-out-loud-knowing/) [J.T. Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-t-ellison/) > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) ## More by Esther M. Friesner > [“Because the truth holds the greatest magic, the greatest beauty, and sometimes the greatest danger,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/because-the-truth-holds-the-greatest-magic-the-greatest-beauty-and/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [Captures the reader with true magic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/captures-the-reader-with-true-magic/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“I doubt you cared this much about their feelings when you chose this path,” Iolaus said. He didn’t raise his voice. The truth doesn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/i-doubt-you-cared-this-much-about-their-feelings-when-you-chose-this/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“I don't hold memories in my hand, but I'll never let them go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/i-don-t-hold-memories-in-my-hand-but-i-ll-never-let-them-go/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“Now, Polydeuces, let her be,” Castor said, hugging me again. “Look at that face! Her brow’s all creased with worry, and for nothing. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/now-polydeuces-let-her-be-castor-said-hugging-me-again-look-at-that/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“Where have you been, Milo?” I asked quietly. “It’s been three days.” “Working for Jason,” Milo replied, his voice low. I frowned, setting the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/where-have-you-been-milo-i-asked-quietly-it-s-been-three-days-working/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [It's not enough to be born free; I have to live my freedom!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/it-s-not-enough-to-be-born-free-i-have-to-live-my-freedom/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“I’d say that of the two choices, Helen will be safest if she finds her own way back.” “A girl traveling alone on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/i-d-say-that-of-the-two-choices-helen-will-be-safest-if-she-finds-her/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“Here’s a lesson for you, lad.” Melitta leaned forward and poked him sharply in the ribs with one gnarled finger. “Don’t drink heavily at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/here-s-a-lesson-for-you-lad-melitta-leaned-forward-and-poked-him/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“I pray Aphrodite will help him find someone who loves him as much as he loves her.” “That’s a good prayer.” Father gave me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/i-pray-aphrodite-will-help-him-find-someone-who-loves-him-as-much-as/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“The old woman said something and thrust the bowl into my hands. I looked to Argus. “What am I supposed to do?” “You had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/the-old-woman-said-something-and-thrust-the-bowl-into-my-hands-i/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“You’re safe. Thank the gods.” Milo appeared at my side, dripping wet, his face scratched and battered. With a shamefaced smile he added, “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/you-re-safe-thank-the-gods-milo-appeared-at-my-side-dripping-wet-his/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“Are you trying to make me jealous, my pretty bird?” Theseus asked, teasing. He took one of the filled wine goblets from the cupbearer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/are-you-trying-to-make-me-jealous-my-pretty-bird-theseus-asked/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [Some men were nothing but overgrown boys who never got over the "fun" of teasing girls, just to get noticed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/some-men-were-nothing-but-overgrown-boys-who-never-got-over-the-fun/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“Don’t call me ‘Helen,’” I said firmly, brushing Polydeuces’ question aside unanswered. “Helen of Sparta wouldn’t be on this ship. I’m Atalanta.” “I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/don-t-call-me-helen-i-said-firmly-brushing-polydeuces-question-aside/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) [Explore all 79 Esther M. Friesner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) ## More Gaze quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [“Taylor said a prayer for the man, and apologized out loud. Knowing there was nothing left to do, she turned to leave. As she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-t-ellison/taylor-said-a-prayer-for-the-man-and-apologized-out-loud-knowing/) [J.T. Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-t-ellison/) > [“If it makes you feel any better, he’s been all sad doll lately too.” “What are you talking about, Chels?” Chelsea stopped walking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/if-it-makes-you-feel-any-better-he-s-been-all-sad-doll-lately-too/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“Rodrigo tried to draw a deep breath, but his chest was too filled with anguish, rage and guilt. He kissed his ash-coated fingers. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-valdez/rodrigo-tried-to-draw-a-deep-breath-but-his-chest-was-too-filled-with/) [Lisa Valdez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-valdez/) > [“still feel the same way? Could he have changed this much on the inside too? Struggling for the right words, I opened my mouth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-wild/still-feel-the-same-way-could-he-have-changed-this-much-on-the-inside/) [Meredith Wild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-wild/) > [“Being held by him, kissed and mastered, taken under and swept away, enthralled her in a way she—an independent woman if nothing else in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-sumner/being-held-by-him-kissed-and-mastered-taken-under-and-swept-away/) [Tracy Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-sumner/) > [“Don’t you remember how hot we were together, Lane? God.” He takes a quick breath through clenched teeth and runs his hand down my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-a-valentine/don-t-you-remember-how-hot-we-were-together-lane-god-he-takes-a-quick/) [Michelle A. Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-a-valentine/) > [“She knew how to play him so very well. He slipped his hand around hers. "Friends," he repeated roughly. Her smile was bright enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-smith/she-knew-how-to-play-him-so-very-well-he-slipped-his-hand-around-hers/) [Kathryn Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-smith/) > [“Damn.” Phineas turned the Big Boy off, then noticed he’d left the box on the bed. Damn, had Zoltan seen it? He stuffed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerrelyn-sparks/damn-phineas-turned-the-big-boy-off-then-noticed-he-d-left-the-box-on/) [Kerrelyn Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerrelyn-sparks/) > [“Now you," Grandma barks at him. "Yes, you, the invisible truck driver," she added, giving me a wicked grin. "Go stand next to Rose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/now-you-grandma-barks-at-him-yes-you-the-invisible-truck-driver-she/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [His fingertips slid down from my face, lightly stroking the line of my neck, down toward my shoulder. Everywhere he touched, a trail of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/his-fingertips-slid-down-from-my-face-lightly-stroking-the-line-of-my/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/) [Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/) > [“You know when I said I didn't need you?" I asked. He lifted one brow. "I was so wrong.I can't find words to express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-jensen/you-know-when-i-said-i-didn-t-need-you-i-asked-he-lifted-one-brow-i/) [Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/) > [“I didn’t say it just to get you to jump. I’m in love with you, Zane,” he admitted in a calm, clear voice. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-urban/i-didn-t-say-it-just-to-get-you-to-jump-i-m-in-love-with-you-zane-he/) [Madeleine Urban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-urban/) > [“This explains so much," she said, clucking her tongue in mother-hen fashion. "You're compensating for this withered appendage." Withered appendage? What the devil was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/this-explains-so-much-she-said-clucking-her-tongue-in-mother-hen/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) Browse all 15,087 Gaze quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I brought him here,” he said, eager to claim credit for whatever had so overjoyed his king. “I caught him making a sacrifice to Lord Hades at your shrine, my lord Theseus, and when I tried to stop him--” Theseus’s laughter crushed Telys’s weak attempt at boasting. “We all know what happened when you tried to stop him, you clown,” he said, wiping his eyes. “The whole palace is talking about how you were bested by a mere boy. Well, the truth is even better.” He was off the throne and across the floor in an instant, scattering everyone who stood between him and me. He bounded behind me, grabbed the waist of my tunic with both hands, and yanked it back, hard. I’d relied on the looseness of my clothing to hide my breasts, small as they were, but now the thin cloth pulled taut against every line of my body. I might as well have been wearing nothing at all. I heard the onlookers gasp. “Why aren’t you smiling, Telys?” Theseus leered as he confronted the horror-struck young guard. “You ought to be glad. You weren’t beaten by a boy after all.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Esther M. 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