Bowdlerise Apr 2026

Changed Lady Macbeth’s "Out, damned spot!" to "Out, crimson spot!".

: In 1807, Bowdler (along with his sister Henrietta) published an edition of William Shakespeare’s plays intended to be appropriate for "a family". bowdlerise

Modified Mercutio’s suggestive puns in Romeo and Juliet to be more "decent". 🏛️ Modern Context & Examples Thomas Bowdler: censor, philanthropist, and doctor Changed Lady Macbeth’s "Out, damned spot

Completely removed characters like Doll Tearsheet, a prostitute, from Henry IV, Part 2 . Changed Lady Macbeth’s "Out

: He aimed to remove profanity, sexual references, and "blasphemous" exclamations so the works could be read aloud to women and children. Famous Edits :

The word is a namesake of (1754–1825), an English physician and philanthropist.