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WAEC SSCE - Literature In English - 2020 (Objective)

Question 1 Report

Read the extract and answer Questions 36 to 40.

I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so good a
commander with so slight, so drunken, and so indiscreet
an officer. Drunk! And speak parrot! And squabble!
swagger! Swear! And discourse fustian with one's own
shadow! a thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no
name to be known by, let us call thee devil!

(Act II, Scene Three, lines 262-267)

.... so good a commander refers to

Answer Details
The phrase "so good a commander" refers to Othello. In this extract, the speaker is expressing their disgust and frustration towards Cassio, who they believe has behaved inappropriately while under the influence of alcohol. The speaker would rather be disliked by Othello than deceive him by covering up Cassio's behavior. This suggests that Othello is a good and honorable leader whom the speaker respects and does not want to disappoint.