What does contumely mean in Hamlet?

insolent or insulting language
Contumely is insolent or insulting language or treatment. Most of us first came across this word in Hamlet’s soliloquy, “Th’ oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely”, and were puzzled by it, as it’s hardly a word in common use.

What does vituperation mean?

Definition of vituperation 1 : sustained and bitter railing and condemnation : vituperative utterance. 2 : an act or instance of vituperating.

What is the proud mans contumely?

Hamlet Glossary – The oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely. Contumely means scorn. It comes from the Middle English word, contumelie. The pronunciation is kän – tyüm – le with the accent on the first syllable.

Is Sea of Troubles a metaphor?

In Shakespeare’s time, “a sea of troubles” was a gloomy metaphor of life itself; when in his “to be or not to be” soliloquy, Hamlet said he might “take arms against a sea of troubles,” he was speculating about using a weapon against his life — “not to be.”

What does Obloquies mean?

1 : a strongly condemnatory utterance : abusive language held to their convictions in the face of obloquy. 2 : the condition of one that is discredited : bad repute living out his days in the obloquy of one who had betrayed a solemn trust.

What is denunciatory?

Definitions of denunciatory. adjective. containing warning of punishment. synonyms: comminatory, denunciative inculpative, inculpatory. causing blame to be imputed to.

What does whip scorns mean?

The whips and scorns of time refers more to Hamlet’s (or a person’s) lifetime than to time as a figurative reference of eternity. – – / – / – / – / – – The oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely, Fans of subjective scansion should love this line.

How do you use contumacious in a sentence?

Contumacious in a Sentence 🔉

1. Because the contumacious student refused to obey the principal’s instructions, he was suspended from school.
2. The judge was quick to have contumacious defendants removed from his courtroom.