Murtagh was right about women. Sassenach, I risked my life for ye, committing theft, arson, assault, and murder into the bargain. In return for which ye call me names, insult my manhood, kick me in the ballocks and claw my face. Then I beat you half to death and tell ye all the most humiliating things have ever happened to me, and ye say ye love me." He laid his head on his knees and laughed some more. Finally he rose and held out a hand to me, wiping his eyes with the other. "You're no verra sensible, Sassenach, but I like ye fine. Let's go.
In this excerpt from Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander," Murtagh reflects humorously on the tumultuous relationship dynamics between men and women. He recounts a series of extreme actions he's taken for a woman named Sassenach, juxtaposed with her harsh treatment of him that includes insults and physical aggression. Despite the challenges and the pain they've inflicted on one another, there's a strange admiration and connection that he feels toward her.
Murtagh's laughter at the absurdity of their relationship reveals a deeper truth about love and conflict. He acknowledges the irrationality of their interactions but still expresses a fondness for Sassenach, suggesting that enduring hardship can forge a unique bond. His acknowledgment of the chaos around their emotions speaks to the complexity of love, which often encompasses both joy and suffering.
