Vadier {on Danton}: We'll clean up the rest of them, and leave that great stuffed turbot till the end.Danton {on Vadier}: Vadier? I'll eat his brains and use his skull to shit in.
In Hilary Mantel's "A Place of Greater Safety," the intense rivalry between revolutionaries Danton and Vadier is vividly illustrated through their quotes. Vadier’s remark about Danton reflects a calculating perspective on dealing with opponents, indicating a desire to eliminate threats before addressing the most formidable one, whom he refers to as a "stuffed turbot." This metaphor reveals a dismissive attitude toward Danton's influence and power.
Danton's fierce retort to Vadier showcases his disdain and readiness to confront his rival head-on. By threatening to eat Vadier's brains, Danton asserts dominance and expresses his contempt, portraying a brutal and uncompromising revolutionary spirit. Their exchange encapsulates the volatile atmosphere of the French Revolution, where personal animosities intersect with political machinations.