All 5 Uses of
countenance
in
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
- A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.
Scene 1.2 *countenance = facial expression
- Ay, sir; that soaks up the King's countenance, his rewards, his authorities.
Scene 4.2 *countenance = approval
- And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord,
With almost all the holy vows of heaven.†Scene 1.3
- The sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
But we will ship him hence: and this vile deed
We must with all our majesty and skill
Both countenance and excuse.†Scene 4.1
- Why, there thou say'st: and the more pity that great folk
should have countenance in this world to drown or hang themselves
more than their even Christian.†Scene 5.1
Definitions:
-
(1)
(countenance as in: a pleasant countenance) facial expression; or face; or composure or manner
-
(2)
(countenance as in: giving countenance) to tolerate, approve, or show favor or support
-
(3)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
More rarely, in addition to facial expression, countenance can refer to one's posture and other visible features.