HAMLET Vocabulary
ACT I
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
vow – an earnest promise.
prodigal – rashly or wastefully extravagant.
filial – the relationship of child or offspring to parent.
ambiguous – open to more than one interpretation.
invulnerable – immune to attack; impregnable; impossible to damage, injure, or wound.
portentous – full of unspecifiable significance; exciting wonder and awe.
malicious – spiteful.
pernicious – deadly; destructive.
reproach – to scold, usually in disappointment; to blame; to disgrace.
reprove – to criticize mildly.
autocratic – ruling with absolute authority; extremely bossy.
antithesis – the direct opposite.
duplicity – the act of being two-faced; deception.
nefarious – evil; wicked in the extreme.
usurp – to seize wrongfully
ACT II & III
16.
afflict – To inflict grievous physical or mental suffering on.
17.
discretion – Ability or power to decide responsibly.
18.
entreat – To make an earnest request of.
19.
beseech – To address an earnest or urgent request to; implore.
20.
contrive – To plan with cleverness or ingenuity
21.
paragon – A model of excellence or perfection of a kind.
22.
appurtenance – Something added to another, more important thing; an appendage.
23.
epitaph – An inscription on a tombstone in memory of the one buried there.
24.
capricious – unpredictable; likely to change at any moment
25.
vacillate – to be indecisive; to waver
26.
incongruous – not harmonious; not consistent; not appropriate; not fitting in
27.
trepidation – fear; apprehension; nervous trembling
28.
furtive – secretive; sly; stealth
29.
surreptitious – sneaky; secret
30.
vilify – to say vile things about; to defame
31.
machination – scheming activity for an evil purpose
32.
vex – to annoy; to pester; to confuse
33.
expedient – providing an immediate advantage; serving one’s immediate self-interest; practical
34.
contentious – argumentative; quarrelsome
35.
foment – to stir up; to instigate
ACTS IV & V
36.
sinews – tendons; muscles.
37.
commingled - blended.
38.
visage – the face or facial expression.
39.
contagion – harmful or corrupting influence.
40.
discord – tension or strife.
41.
convocation – assembly.
42.
imminent – about to occur; impending.
43.
superfluous - being beyond what is required or sufficient.
44.
aloof – distant physically or emotionally.
45.
base – the lowest or bottom part.
46.
felicity – great happiness; bliss.
47.
conjuration – influence or effect by a supernatural power.
48.
carnal - of or relating to the body or flesh; bodily.
49.
perdition – loss of the soul; eternal damnation.
50.
assiduous – hardworking; busy; quite diligent
51.
choleric – hot-tempered; quick to anger
52.
docile – easily taught; obedient; easy to handle
53.
wistful– yearning; sadly longing
54.
superficial – on the surface only; shallow; not thorough
55.
discern – to have insight; to see things clearly; to discriminate; to differentiate
56.
dubious – full of doubt; uncertain