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) 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.