---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Here on this grass-plot, in this very…"
description: "\"“Here on this grass-plot, in this very place, To come and sport: her peacocks fly amain … THE TEMPEST, 4.1 Peacock, long a symbol of nobility and immor..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f1/francine-segan-18202_bad-temper_here-on-this-grass-plot-in-this-very-pla_777494.jpg"
---

#  Here on this grass-plot, in this very place, To come and…

![“Here on this grass-plot, in this very place, To come and sport: her peacocks fly amain … THE TEMPEST, 4.1 Peacock, long a symbol of nobility and immortality, was one of the most esteemed feast foods in Shakespeare’s time. Served roasted and placed back in its feathers, it was then dusted with real…” quote by Francine Segan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f1/francine-segan-18202_bad-temper_here-on-this-grass-plot-in-this-very-pla_777494.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f1/francine-segan-18202_bad-temper_here-on-this-grass-plot-in-this-very-pla_777494.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f1/francine-segan-18202_bad-temper_here-on-this-grass-plot-in-this-very-pla_777494.jpg)

> ““Here on this grass-plot, in this very place, To come and sport: her peacocks fly amain … THE TEMPEST, 4.1 Peacock, long a symbol of nobility and immortality, was one of the most esteemed feast foods in Shakespeare’s time. Served roasted and placed back in its feathers, it was then dusted with real gold. Metal rods were inserted into the bird’s body so that it remained upright and seemingly alive. The peacock would be made to appear to breathe fire by the cook’s trick of placing a bit of camphor-soaked cotton in its mouth and lighting it just before serving. Despite these elaborate preparations, peacock was not considered tasty. Wrote one 1599 author, “Peacocke, is very hard meate, of bad temperature, and as evil juyce.””

[Francine Segan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-segan/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The passage describes the extravagant yet unpalatable preparation of peacocks in Shakespeare’s era, highlighting the contrast between opulent display and actual taste.

**In simple terms:** Peacocks were lavishly prepared but not tasty.

Key Takeaway

Beware of focusing on appearance over substance.

Themes

culture food history symbolism

Mood

reflective critical

Type

historical analytical

When to use this quote

- theatrical banquets
- historical reenactments
- museum displays
- culinary education

Key Concepts

culinary extravagance social status ritual perception

Questions to Reflect On

- How does visual splendor affect our expectations of flavor?
- What does this reveal about status symbols?

A Different Perspective

The elaborate presentation may mask the poor quality of the food.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Bad temper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-temper/) [Real gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-gold/)

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## More by Francine Segan

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