Meaning

A countenance more in sorrow than in anger

The meaning of the phrase

'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

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