Macbeth Study

Vocab words Act 1 - Act 5

Plight

Dilemma; Trouble; Predicament

Valiant

From the root word “valor,” meaning brave or courageous

Sooth

Truth

Dismal

Miserable; Gloomy; Depressing

Fantastical

From the root word “fantastic,” meaning unbelievable or out-of-this-world; Often refers to the supernatural in Shakespeare’s plays

Rapt

Absorbed, captivated, or enthralled with something

Stealthy

Sneaky or sly

Appall

Horrify, shock, or disgust

Obscure

Unclear, unintelligible, or doubtful

Sacrilegious

Blasphemous, irreverent, disrespectful - especially in reference to religious figures

Pretense

A charade, facade, or act of deception; Putting on a “front”

Contend

To compete or challenge

Verity

A statement of truth; A reality

Parricide

The act of killing one’s mother, father, or close relative

Predominant

Having power over others; Prominent

Vile

Highly offensive; Repulsive; Disgusting

Assailable

Unable or incapable of being defended

Nonpareil

A person or thing that has no equal

Pernicious

Hurtful; Deadly; Fatal

Diminutive

Small; Little; Tiny

Dolor

A state of great sorrow or grief

Tyrant

A cruel and oppressive ruler

Impediment

Obstruction; Hindrance; Obstacle

Hoodwink

To deceive or trick

Antidote

A medicine or other remedy for counteracting the effects of poison

Dire

Causing or involving fear

Equivocation

The use of ambiguous or unclear language to conceal the truth

Harbinger

A person sent in advance to announce another’s arrival; Omen

Abhor

To loathe, detest, or hate

Usurper

One who wrongfully or illegally seizes and holds the place of another