Characters
These barbarians would rather drown in blood than yield an inch. If I didn't hate them so much I would admire them.
— Quintus • Gladiator
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The speaker describes their opponents as so stubborn that they would sooner die violently than give any ground. Contempt and reluctant respect are tangled together: hatred is the only thing stopping the speaker from admiring such fierce, unyielding resolve.
Context reviewed