I would like to know why is Richard discontented in the first soliloquy. He says, "Now is the winter of our discontent..."
Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this son of York
In other words, the bleak winter of war has given way to a bright summer of peace, symbolized by the shining “sun” (son) of York, Edward.
.......However, Richard says he will shun the merriment, including amorous pursuits, because he is a lame hunchback whose sight is so displeasing that even dogs bark insults at him. Nature, he says, has “cheated” him of good looks. Now he must endure the indignity of seeing his “shadow in the sun”—that is, being eclipsed by Edward. Clearly, he deeply envies Edward.
richard 111 a study guide
