Phrase Finder

Meaning

A countenance more in sorrow than in anger

Categorised in: Phrases coined by Shakespeare - Hamlet ·135 Phrases coined by William Shakespeare

What's the meaning of the phrase 'A countenance more in sorrow than in anger'?

'A countenance more in sorrow than in anger' has a literal meaning. It describes the demeanour of a person who has suffered a setback or a shock but is displaying sadness rather than anger.

A countenance more in sorrow than in anger
A countenance more in sorrow than in anger - caption

What’s the origin of the phrase ‘A countenance more in sorrow than in anger’?

From Shakespeare’s Hamlet, 1602. Horatio describes to Hamlet the appearance of his father’s ghost:

Hamlet: What, look’d he frowningly?
Horatio: A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.

Historical trend

“countenance more in sorrow than” in printed material over time

Source: Google Books Ngrams (1800–2020).

180018201840186018801900192019401960198020002020
  • countenance more in sorrow than