A countenance more in sorrow than in anger

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.

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.

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A countenance more in sorrow than in anger

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