In a fit of drunken mischief

[Rollercoaster1]

The Silver Box is a powerful and bitter play. In a fit of drunken mischief Jack, the dissolute son of the highly respectable Mr. Barthwick, a Liberal Member of Parliament, steals a purse from a woman. In a similar fit of drunken mischief Jones, the husband of the Borthwick's charwoman, steals the silver cigarette box and the purse after helping Jack to enter his father's house.

This context is taken from the introduction to one of 'John Galsworthy' plays 'Act 3 of the silver box'.

What does the phrase 'in a fit of drunken mischief' mean?

 

[Raymott]

In an episode of inebriated misbehaviour.
In a flurry of alcohol-fueled foolery.
In an attack of alcohol-induced antics.

 

[jutfrank]

In an episode of inebriated misbehaviour.
In a flurry of alcohol-fueled foolery.
In an attack of alcohol-induced antics.

In a bout of boozy badness?

 

[tedmc]

In an outburst of intoxicated roguery.

 

[Raymott]

In a convulsion of claret–caused chaos.
In a disgraceful drink-induced display of dastardly doings.

In an alliterative lashout of liquor-laced larrikinism.

 

[Raymott]

In a moment of madeira-modulated madness.
In a volley of vodka-voiced violence.
In a whirlwind of whisky-wasted wankery

 

[Tdol]

Also, they would be less likely to steal when sober.

 

[Rollercoaster1]

In an episode of inebriated misbehaviour.
In a flurry of alcohol-fueled foolery.
In an attack of alcohol-induced antics.

That's alright but is there a single word for it?

 

[jutfrank]

That's alright but is there a single word for it?

No.

 

[Rollercoaster1]

No.

Can we also say 'characterwise/characteristically drunken mischief Jack, .... .', instead of 'in a fit of ...... .'

 

[jutfrank]

Can we also say 'characterwise/characteristically drunken mischief Jack, .... .', instead of 'in a fit of ...... .'

No, that's completely wrong.

The adjective drunken goes with mischief, not with Jack. So drunken mischief is 'mischievous behaviour that was influenced by being drunk'. This behaviour was the stealing of the woman's purse.

 

[Tdol]

You could say characteristically drunken mischief if Jack did this regularly when he was drunk IMO. It is definitely not the same as in a fit of.