| Presage | n. something that foreshadows a future event, foreknowledge of the future; v. to predict to foreshadowAct I, scene i (v.) “If I may trust the flattering truth of sleepMy dreams presage some joyful news at hand.” |
| Penury | n. extreme poverty, destitution, indigence, want Act I, scene i “Nothing this penury, to myself I said,An if a man did need a poison nowWhose sale is presented death in Mantua,Here lives a caitiff wretch would sell it him.” |
| Dispatch | v. to send away with promptness or speed; quickness, haste, expediencyAct V, scene i “Put this in any liquid thing you willAnd drink it off, and if you had the strength |
| Cordial | adj. courteous and gracious, friendly; n. strong, sweetened aromatic medicine, liqueurAct V, scene i (n.)”Come, cordial and not poison, go with meTo Juliet’s grave; for there must I use thee.” |
| Peruse | v. to read or to examine, to read with thoroughness or care, to observe carefullyAct V, scene iii”In faith, I will. Let me peruse this face.” |
| Interred | v. placed in a grave or tomb, buried, buried hastilyAct V, scene iii”Death, lie thou there, by a dead man interr’d.” |
| Inauspicious | adj. unfavourable, unfortunate, ill predictions, ill omen, contrary to your welfareAct V, scene iii”O, hereWill I set up my everlasting restAnd shake the yoke of inauspicious starsFrom this world-wearied flesh.” |
| Engrossing | adj. something that completely occupies or absorbs, preoccupiesAct V, scene iii”Arms, take your last embrace! And, lips, O youThe doors of breath, seal with a righteous kissA dateless bargain to engrossing death!.” |
| Thwart | v. to effectively oppose or stop, to prevent the occurrence of, to frustrate, baffle, foilAct V, scene iii”Lady, come from that nestOf death, contagion, and unnatural sleep.A greater power than we can contradictHath thwarted our intents.” |
| Rigor | n. strictness, severity, or harshness in dealing with people, full severity of the lawAct V, scene iii”All this I know, and to the marriageHer nurse is privy; and if aught in thisMiscarried by my fault, let my old lifeBe sacrific’d, some hour before his time, Unto the rigor of severest law.” |
Romeo and Juliet Act V Vocabulary
September 8, 2019