All 4 Uses of
censure
in
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
- Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.
Scene 1.3 *censure = criticism
- So oft it chances in particular men
That, for some vicious mole of nature in them,
As in their birth,—wherein they are not guilty,
Since nature cannot choose his origin,—By the o'ergrowth of some complexion,
Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason;
Or by some habit, that too much o'er-leavens
The form of plausive manners;—that these men,—Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect,
Being nature's livery, or fortune's star,—Their virtues else,—be they as pure as grace,
As infinite as man may undergo,—Shall in the general censure take corruption
From that particular fault: the dram of eale
Doth all the noble substance often doubt
To his own scandal.†Scene 1.4censure = harsh or formal criticism
- Now, this overdone, or come tardy off, though
it make the unskilful laugh, cannot but make the judicious
grieve; the censure of the which one must in your allowance,
o'erweigh a whole theatre of others.†Scene 3.2
- Give him heedful note;
For I mine eyes will rivet to his face;
And, after, we will both our judgments join
In censure of his seeming.†Scene 3.2
Definitions:
-
(1)
(censure) harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization -- such as the U.S. Senate
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Censure was used archaically to mean judgement or evaluation.