Unit 1: Shakespeare Speaks
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Session 14
King James enjoys a bit of pickle with his dinner while he watches William Shakespeare's The Tempest. We bring you the phrase in a pickle - and lots more phrases for talking about difficult situations. Plus, pick up some great expressions to use when people are drunk!
Session 14 score
0 / 15
- 0 / 4Activity 1
- 0 / 3Activity 2
- 0 / 8Activity 3
Activity 1
Trinculo is in a pickle
A drunken jester? No good will come of it...
In Shakespeare's time, the jester had the important role of entertaining the court. He played music, did silly things and told jokes - just like a modern-day clown. William Shakespeare included jesters in many of his plays - and his audiences loved them.
To do
In this image, we can see Trinculo, the jester from The Tempest. While you watch the video, decide if Trinculo is:
a) very drunk
b) in a difficult situation
c) both a) and b)
The answer's under the video - no cheating!
Watch the video and complete the activity
Narrator
It was a chilly November evening. William Shakespeare's play The Tempest, full of music, magic and monsters, is being performed for the first time. King James I and the Queen are having dinner while they watch.
King James
I do like a good play… mmm… and this meat is delicious - bring me more of that pickle… Mmmm… I love a bit of pickle with my dinner… and a nice glass of wine…
Queen
Don't you think you've had enough wine, dear?
King James
Oh do be quiet dear: I can't hear the actors. Now, Mr Shakespeare, is that a King I see on the stage?
Will
Your Majesty, that is King Alonso of Naples. He is lost on a magical island.
King James
And who is this fellow in the jester's costume?
Will
Your Majesty, that is Trinculo. He drinks a lot, and plans to murder people.
King James
A drunken jester? Murder? No good will come of it… does the King know about this?
Will
Yes, your Majesty. Now, the King is going to find Trinculo - in a drunken mess. Your Majesty might care to listen…
King James 1
Ooh yes, yes, I want to hear this, be quiet everybody.
Alonso
How camest thou in this pickle?
Robert Harley as Trinculo
I have been in such a pickle since I saw you last that, I fear me, will never out of my bones: I shall not fear fly-blowing.
King James 1
Hahaha! He's in a pickle! I like it, Will, very good, very good!
Narrator
We'll leave them there for now. Pickles are a very messy food, made from fruit and vegetables, crushed and preserved in vinegar and spices - sometimes with alcohol too. When Trinculo says he is in a pickle, he's probably saying that he is very drunk - but he's also got himself into a mess - a very difficult situation. Nowadays, when someone has drunk a lot of alcohol, they can say: I'm pickled - and when they've got problems, they can say: I'm in a pickle. Take The Hunger Games actor Liam Hemsworth, who said:
Clip 1
Most of the time if I'm in a pickle I'll call one of my brothers. They've usually got somewhat uplifting advice.
Clip 2
Ooh, you're in a pickle with those bags aren't you? Let me help.
King James I
Now Mr Shakespeare, sit down and eat with us. Have some cold meat!
Servant
Anything with that?
Will
Hmmm… To pickle, or not to pickle: that is the question.
Answer
The answer is c) - Trinculo has drunk too much alcohol AND he is in a difficult situation!
To do
In this episode we met King James, who was not only the King of Scotland, but also ruled England and Ireland from 1603 until his death in 1625. Try this quiz to find out what else you learnt about our version of King James. Watch the episode again first if you want.
King James' quiz
4 Questions
Answer the questions about this episode.
Help
Activity
Answer the questions about this episode.
Hint
The narrator tells us that "The Tempest, full of music, magic and monsters, is being performed for the first time."Question 1 of 4
Help
Activity
Answer the questions about this episode.
Hint
What does he say when the Queen tries to stop him drinking more wine?Question 2 of 4
Help
Activity
Answer the questions about this episode.
Hint
What do you think Will means when he says: "Now, the King is going to find Trinculo - in a drunken mess. Your Majesty might care to listen…"Question 3 of 4
Help
Activity
Answer the questions about this episode.
Hint
Pickle is often eaten with meat.Question 4 of 4
Excellent! Great job! Bad luck! You scored:
How many did you get right?
3-4 The King is pleased!
0-2 No pickle for you...
Next
I'm in a pickle? or I'm pickled?- what's the difference? Click 'next activity' to find out.
On the next pages, we'll explore the meaning and use of in a pickle. We'll also bring you some more phrases for talking about difficult situations - and some expressions that describe drunk people!
Session Vocabulary
For more great Shakespeare content visit our partner,The OU
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In a pickle
Meaning
Nowadays, when someone says they are in a pickle they mean that they are in a mess - a very difficult situation.Example sentence
Most of the time if I'm in a pickle I'll call one of my brothers. They've usually got somewhat uplifting advice.Note
Nowadays, people can say I'm pickled if they have drunk too much alcohol.____________________
Extra vocabulary
court
(here) the place where a King or Queen and their family and servants are livinga jester
a man whose job was to entertain people by doing silly things and telling jokestricky
difficult
in a sticky situation
in a difficult situationin a tight spot
in a difficult situationin a bind
in a difficult situationbetween a rock and a hard place
in a very difficult position, often facing a difficult decisionhe's legless
he's completely drunkhammered
completely drunktipsy
a little drunkmerry
a little drunk and feeling happy____________________
Shakespeare Speaks is a co-production between:
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