At the climactic moment, Rodrigues hears the moans of those who have recanted but are to remain in the pit until he tramples the image of Christ. As Rodrigues looks upon a fumi-e, Christ breaks his silence: "You may trample. You may trample.
At the pivotal instant, Rodrigues hears the cries of those who have renounced but are destined to remain in the pit until he crushes the image of Christ. As Rodrigues gazes upon a fumi-e, Christ interrupts his silence: "You may tread. You may tread.