All 3 Uses of
gall
in
Othello, the Moor of Venice
- Farewell; for I must leave you: It seems not meet nor wholesome to my place To be produc'd,—as if I stay I shall,—Against the Moor: for I do know the state,—However this may gall him with some check,—Cannot with safety cast him; for he's embark'd With such loud reason to the Cyprus wars,—Which even now stand in act,—that, for their souls, Another of his fathom they have none To lead their business: in which regard, Though I do hate him as I do hell pains, Yet, for necessity of present life, I must show out a flag and sign of love, Which is indeed but sign.†
Scene 1.1
- These sentences, to sugar or to gall, Being strong on both sides, are equivocal: But words are words; I never yet did hear That the bruis'd heart was pierced through the ear.†
Scene 1.3
- Welcome, mistress:—Let it not gall your patience, good Iago, That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding That gives me this bold show of courtesy.†
Scene 2.1 *
Definitions:
-
(1)
(gall as in: had the gall to) boldness and rudeness to say or do things that are not acceptable to others
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Less commonly today, but commonly in classic literature, gall may refer to a feeling of deep bitterness, anger, or frustration as in "nothing is more galling than..." It also has a specialized meaning referencing a swollen part of a tree, or a skin sore that is caused by rubbing. Finally, in medicine, gall can reference bile from the gallbladder.