grim-visaged war hath smoothed his wrinkled front meaning

The phrase "grim-visaged war hath smoothed his wrinkled front" is from Shakespeare's play Henry VI, Part 3. It is said by Queen Margaret to describe the effects of war on a person's appearance.

In this context, "grim-visaged war" refers to the harsh and cruel nature of war, which causes suffering and creates a grim and stern face associated with soldiers and those affected by conflict.

The phrase "hath smoothed his wrinkled front" means that war has erased the signs of worry, age, and wrinkles that normally appear on a person's forehead. It suggests that war brings a sense of seriousness and determination that replaces signs of vulnerability and uncertainty.

Overall, the line implies that war transforms individuals into hardened, resolute figures, removing any traces of tenderness or innocence.