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Definition of Equivocate

Equivocate: Latin word root – voc - means “voice” or “calling” Words that contain this word: ad voc ate, con voc ation, pro voc ative, voc al “ Equ ” = Equal Speaking, 2 sides of an equation. Definition of Equivocate. Equivocate .

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Definition of Equivocate

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  1. Equivocate:Latin word root –voc- means “voice” or “calling”Words that contain this word: advocate, convocation, provocative, vocal“Equ” = EqualSpeaking, 2 sides of an equation

  2. Definition of Equivocate

  3. Equivocate • use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself.

  4. How is an equivocation different than a paradox?

  5. Side By Side Comparison • Equivocation A statement that has multiple meanings and is used to intentionally deceive • Contains a deception • Example: You're born from nothing.  You go back to nothing.  What do you lose?  Nothing!  So always look on the bright side of life... (Monty Python) • Paradox A statement that seems to be contradictory but that might contain a hidden truth • Contains a hidden truth • Example: I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.“ (Mother Teresa)

  6. What James Has Got To DO With It • James as first PROTESTANT king, persecuted Catholics • Catholics had to worship in secret • If asked about their faith, Catholics would “equivocate” according to Garnet’s advice

  7. Why Equivocation Matters in Macbeth • “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.” –the Porter, 2.3. l.8-11 • The Gunpowder plot: conspirators were Catholics, caught with Henry Garnet’s A Treatise on Equivocation • Garnet’s Treatise addresses the question of how Catholics should answer authority if questioned upon their religion— “lie like the truth”

  8. From Henry Garnet’s Equivocation “We use some equivocal word which hath many significations, and we understand it in one sense, which is true, although the hearer conceive the other, which is false . . [as for example,] if one should be asked whether such a stranger lodgeth in my house, and I should answer, “he lieth not in my house,” meaning that he doth not tell a lie there, although he lodge there.”

  9. In other words… • Say words that have double meanings • The hearer is only aware of one meaning (and are deceived into thinking there is only that one meaning) • While the speaker knows there is a second meaning • In this way, the statement isn’t a traditional “lie”; it’s true in a way the listener doesn’t know • Protected Catholics against the charge of lying • Why might Macbeth equivocate?

  10. Equivocation and Paradox Activity • Your Job: To distinguish between examples of equivocation and paradox in Macbeth • You will each be assigned a quote from Macbeth and have to determine individually: • if the statement is an example of paradox or equivocation. • who the speaker and addressee are • explain what makes it a paradox or equivocation. • if the statement is a paradox, explain the hidden truth. If the statement is an equivocation, explain the deceptive truth • Next, you will get into groups and discuss your answers before sharing them with the whole class.

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