Esther is the story we read at Purim, when the children make as much noise as they like every time Haman’s name is read. The Greek version in the Septuagint is longer than the Hebrew: it has Esther’s prayer in it.
The Septuagint · Formal requests
Esther
If it please the king, I would be grateful if, might I, I was wondering whether, and the art of softening: the most diplomatic language in the English language, spoken by a queen who risked her life to ask for something, and weighed by Sophia.
👑 Play the story too: in the gamebook, you are Esther.Play the gamebook →
PHILO
MARCOS
We can make noise? I like this one already.
The story
From the Septuagint
In the days of King Artaxerxes of Persia (Ahasuerus, in the Hebrew), a young Jewish woman called Esther was chosen to be queen. Her cousin Mordecai, who had brought her up, told her not to tell anybody that she was Jewish.
The king’s chief minister, Haman, was a proud man. When Mordecai refused to bow down to him, Haman was so angry that he persuaded the king to sign a decree: on a certain day, all the Jews in the empire would be killed.
Mordecai asked Esther to go to the king and plead for her people. But there was a law: anyone who went to the king without being called would be put to death, unless the king held out his golden sceptre. “Who knows,” said Mordecai, “whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther asked all the Jews to fast and pray for three days, and she prayed too. Then she put on her royal robes and went to the king. He held out his golden sceptre. But she didn’t ask at once. She invited the king and Haman to a banquet, and then to a second banquet.
At the second banquet, she spoke: “If I have found favour in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me, and my people.” She told him about Haman’s plot. The king was furious, Haman was punished, and a new decree allowed the Jews to defend themselves. Sorrow was turned into joy.
From the book of Esther, as it is read in the Greek of the Septuagint.
Why not just ask?
MARCOS
Why two banquets? Why doesn’t she just say: “Stop Haman”?
SOPHIA
Because you don’t speak to a Persian king the way you speak to your cousin, Marcos. And because English, like Persian court language, has a whole grammar of softening: making a request so polite that it is hard to refuse.
Would, could, might: distance means respect
DEMETRIA
“Can you help me?” is direct. “Could you help me?” is politer. “Would it be possible for you to help me?” is politer still.
SOPHIA
Exactly. The more “past” and “conditional” the form, the more distance, and the more respect. Can I…? → Could I…? → Might I…? → I wonder if I might…
I was wondering, I would be grateful
PHILO
My father writes to the city council like this: “I was wondering whether the council might consider… I would be most grateful if you could…”
SOPHIA
Two classic formulas. I was wondering if / whether + past or modal: the past tense here isn’t about time; it softens. And I would be grateful if you could + verb. Notice: could, not can, after grateful if.
If it please the king: the subjunctive
THE CLERK
“If it please the king.” Shouldn’t that be “if it pleases”?
SOPHIA
It’s an old subjunctive, kept in very formal, ceremonial English: If it please the king… God save the king… Long live the queen. Today we say if it pleases, or better, if Your Majesty would allow me.
Softeners
DEMETRIA
And little words: perhaps, possibly, just, a little, at all.
SOPHIA
Yes: “Could I just ask… Would it be at all possible… I wonder if you might possibly…” Used well, they are courtesy. Used too much, they sound like Haman: false. Esther used them once, perfectly, and then said exactly what she wanted.
Sophia’s summary
| Form | Use | From the fable |
|---|---|---|
| Could / Would you…? Might I…? | polite requests (past forms = more polite) | Might I speak, Your Majesty? |
| Would it be possible (for you) to…? | very polite request | Would it be possible to delay the decree? |
| I was wondering if / whether… | softened request | I was wondering whether you might attend a banquet. |
| I would be grateful if you could… | formal request | I would be grateful if you could hear me. |
| If it please… | old subjunctive, ceremonial | If it please the king, let my people live. |
| just, possibly, at all, perhaps | softeners | Would it be at all possible…? |
Practice
Answer all the questions, then press “Check my answers”. You can try again as many times as you like.
A · Choose the best form
Choose the most suitable form.
1. (To a king) “___ I say something, Your Majesty?”
2. “I would be grateful if you ___ attend my banquet.”
3. “I was wondering ___ you might have a moment.”
4. “Would it be possible ___ the decree?”
5. Which request is the most polite?
6. “If it ___ the king, let my people live.”
B · Complete the sentence
Write the missing word.
7. I wondering whether you might help my people.
8. I would be grateful you could read this letter.
9. Would it be possible me to speak to the king? (for someone)
10. Would you mind the doors? (close)
C · Right or wrong?
Is the sentence correct English?
11. “I would be grateful if you can help me.”
12. “I was wondering if I might ask you a favour.”
13. “Would it be possible that you help me?”
Now be Esther yourself. You have one chance to ask, and your life depends on how you do it.Play the gamebook →