Ye Olde Quiz

Answer: Yes, that's the problem

This term would be used whenever a particularly difficult problem cropped up that needed ingenuity to solve. It could also be applied to other issues, such as selecting the better of two or more pleasant or unpleasant options.

Answer: I'm absolutely fed up with everything

Shakespeare used this expression in his play "Richard III" in the opening scene of act one. Richard was absolutely fed up to the back teeth about everything working out perfectly for everyone else, but not for him. A good deal of jealousy was mixed in with his emotions as well. The full quote is "Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this son of York." The time of being fed up has come to an end, apparently, and the speech includes a pun on the homonyms sun/son.

Richard, just in passing, has been much maligned in history, thanks to Shakespeare's play, which was an endeavour to please the royal court of his time. Richard, in fact, was an efficient and fair king who was much respected by his people.

Answer: Before finally acting, the worst outcomes are imagined first

This could of course apply equally to anyone making any hard decision to act decisively on any issue. Put simply, it means indecisive (or cowardly) people allow their imaginations to run away with them, by picturing the worst outcomes in various scenarios (die many times) - before they ultimately act (the death or the outcome).

A comical example today would someone who hates going to the dentist. That person, while waiting to be called into the surgery, keeps imagining all the dire things the dentist could do to him or her. What am I saying? I hate going to the dentist! That isn't a bit funny!

Answer: Listen to me

I want to tell you something. Could you listen a moment? It's as simple as that. A version of this can be seen in the Bard's play "Julius Caesar", where Mark Antony is addressing the crowd following the assassination of Caesar. "Friends, Romans, countrymen" he cries, "Lend me your ears". I'm sure you'll agree that sounds so much more powerful than "Listen up, you lot" or "Ladies and gentlemen, could I have your attention please".

Answer: He's not completely bad

Basically this means that even the worst person under the sun has got a few good points, or is capable of doing good at times. In other words, hardly anyone is as thoroughly evil as he or she is portrayed.

Answer: Nobody at the top level is ever really secure in their positions

There's always someone or some organisation ready to step into that position if given the chance - or plotting to do so. This term was very applicable back in the days when kings ruled various kingdoms in particular. There were many who wouldn't hesitate to stab those rulers in the back, figuratively and literally.

The cup of poisoned wine presented under the guise of friendship, for example. Today, this can be seen more and more in the massive security details that always surround those people in the top positions in the land, such as the President of the United States.

It would have to be an exceptionally strong person who could sleep well at night under such circumstances.

Answer: Jealousy

This is pure and simply a metaphor for jealousy. There are different kinds of jealousy of course. Romantic jealousy, for example, of a candidate for your loved one's affections. Or jealousy of good looks, or jealousy between brothers and sisters, or jealousy of someone in a work environment. Believe it or not, child psychologists say this emotion can even be observed in babies as young as five months. "Her dummy is bigger than mine!" Jealousy in fact is a very human feeling, but it needs to be kept under control, or it will control you.

Answer: To display your emotions too openly

This is usually applied in a romantic context, when one's face or behaviour is displaying too openly his or her feelings of affection or desire for another person. There is nothing wrong with that of course - unless those feelings are unreciprocated and you're making a big donkey of yourself. Don't worry though. We've all been there.

Answer: I'm in a position to do anything I want to

This could be applied to a very lucky, or very rich, or very powerful person who is in such a position that all doors open for him or her. The oyster reference applies to the extremely valuable and sought after pearls that oysters generate.

Answer: Wicked people can be very deceitful and fool us all

Obviously if someone is planning to carry out a terrible act, that person will hardly advertise the fact first. Instead, an innocent face will be presented to the world, or the evil intentions will be hidden under the guise of a good person. Those people are killer clowns who lure the innocent to destruction.