# XXV explained — The Demi-Gods

> Chapter companion for The Demi-Gods by James Stephens.

## What happens

Rhadamanthus physically subdues the rebellious seraph Cuchulain and hurls him and Brien O'Brien through space to Earth, where they land naked near Donnybrook. The chapter also recounts Brien's earlier torment in Hell, where his incessant demand about a stolen threepenny bit causes chaos, leading to a proclamation in Heaven for its return. Cuchulain refuses to give up the coin, prompting Rhadamanthus to intervene again.

## Themes in this chapter

### Freedom and Outlawry

Cuchulain's rebellion against Rhadamanthus and his refusal to return the coin embody defiance against authority, while Brien's relentless demand for justice challenges the order of Hell.

### The Divine and the Mundane

The chapter juxtaposes cosmic judgment and divine punishment with the trivial matter of a threepenny bit, highlighting the collision between the sacred and the ordinary.

## Character check-ins

### Rhadamanthus

The judge who quells the rebel seraph Cuchulain, hurls him and Brien through space, and later deals with the chaos caused by Brien's complaint in Hell.

### Cuchulain

The young seraph who rebels against Rhadamanthus, is physically subdued and thrown to Earth, and later refuses to return the stolen threepenny bit.

### Brien O'Brien

A sinner from Kerry who is tormented in Hell but disrupts it by incessantly demanding his stolen threepenny bit; he is brought before Rhadamanthus and thrown to Earth alongside Cuchulain.

## Key lines

> Rhadamanthus stood from his ordained chair. He strode mightily forward and in an instant had quelled that rebel.

Rhadamanthus rose from his throne and quickly subdued the rebellious seraph.

_Depicts Rhadamanthus's decisive action to restore order._

> He seized the seraph Cuchulain, lifted him to his breast as one lifts a sparrow, and tramped back with him

He grabbed Cuchulain, held him like a small bird, and carried him back.

_Emphasizes the power disparity between Rhadamanthus and Cuchulain._

> Who stole the threepenny bit? Who stole the threepenny bit?

The chant demanding the return of the stolen coin.

_The central grievance that disrupts Hell and Heaven._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_demi_gods_se/chapters/xxv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_demi_gods_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_demi_gods_se/chapters