Breathing Quote by Thomas Harris
“Hannibal at eighteen was rooting for Mephistopheles and contemptuous of Faust, but he only half-listened to the climax. He was watching and breathing Lady Murasaki...”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Hannibal Rising, 2006
Hannibal, as a teen, admires Mephistopheles and despises Faust, yet he only half‑listens to the climax, while being distracted by Lady Murasaki, showing his conflicted loyalties and fascination with dark influences.
In simple terms: Teen Hannibal is torn between dark influences and distraction.
Key Takeaway
Recognize conflicting loyalties and their impact.
Themes
conflict
influence
distraction
Mood
intrigued
analytical
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- reading groups
- psychology courses
- creative writing workshops
Key Concepts
literary analysis
psychology
character study
Questions to Reflect On
- Why does he half‑listen?
- What does Lady Murasaki represent?
A Different Perspective
The focus on distraction may downplay Hannibal’s deeper motivations.
![“[T]here is no consensus in the psychiatric community that Dr. Lecter should be termed a man. He has long been regarded by his professional peers in psychiatry, many of whom fear his acid pen in the professional journals, as something entirely Other. For convenience, they term him “monster”.” quote by Thomas Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/37c/thomas-harris-1874_quote_t-here-is-no-consensus-in-the-psychiatri_27085.jpg)
