All 6 Uses of
equivocate
in
Macbeth
- O, come in, equivocator.
Scene 2.1 *equivocator = liar (who uses ambiguousness to avoid telling the truth)
- Faith, here's an equivocator, that could swear in both the scales against either scale, who committed treason enough for God's sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven: O, come in, equivocator.†
Scene 2.1
- Faith, here's an equivocator, that could swear in both the scales against either scale, who committed treason enough for God's sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven: O, come in, equivocator.†
Scene 2.1
- Lechery, sir, it provokes and unprovokes; it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance: therefore much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lechery: it makes him, and it mars him; it sets him on, and it takes him off; it persuades him, and disheartens him; makes him stand to, and not stand to: in conclusion, equivocates him in a sleep, and giving him the lie, leaves him.†
Scene 2.1
- Lechery, sir, it provokes and unprovokes; it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance: therefore much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lechery: it makes him, and it mars him; it sets him on, and it takes him off; it persuades him, and disheartens him; makes him stand to, and not stand to: in conclusion, equivocates him in a sleep, and giving him the lie, leaves him.†
Scene 2.1
- — I pull in resolution; and begin To doubt the equivocation of the fiend That lies like truth.†
Scene 5.5
Definition:
-
(equivocate) to speak in a manner that does not clearly express an opinion or decision -- typically in an attempt to satisfy people who want different things or to avoid making a commitment