How camest thou in this pickle?

How camest thou in this pickle?

The line "How camest thou in this pickle?" is from Act 5, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's play "The Tempest." In this scene, Trinculo, a jester, encounters Caliban, a deformed and monstrous creature who serves Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan. Trinculo is surprised to find Caliban lying on the ground, drunk and covered in a cloak, and he asks him how he ended up in such a sorry state.

The phrase "in this pickle" is an idiomatic expression that means being in a difficult or unpleasant situation. Trinculo's question to Caliban is both humorous and revealing of the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the island on which they find themselves. Caliban's response to Trinculo's question is equally humorous, as he blames his sorry state on the influence of alcohol and the island's magical powers.

The use of the word "pickle" in this context is significant because it reflects the play's themes of power, control, and transformation. In Shakespeare's time, pickling was a common method of preserving food, and the process involved immersing the food in a brine or vinegar solution. This process of preservation and transformation mirrors the characters' experiences on the island, where they are subjected to Prospero's magical powers and forced to confront their own flaws and weaknesses.

The question "How camest thou in this pickle?" also highlights the theme of appearance versus reality in "The Tempest." Trinculo's surprise at Caliban's drunken state and disheveled appearance reveals his own prejudices and assumptions about the creature's nature. Similarly, Caliban's response challenges Trinculo's perception of him as a simple and brutish monster, showing that appearances can be deceiving.

Overall, the line "How camest thou in this pickle?" is a humorous and thought-provoking moment in "The Tempest" that reflects the play's themes of power, transformation, and the complexities of human nature. It serves as a reminder that even in the most difficult and unpredictable situations, there is always room for humor, self-reflection, and growth.