RICHARD
Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York;
. . .
I, that am curtailed of this fair proportion,
Cheated of feature by dissembling nature,
Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time
Into this breathing world, scarce half made up,
And that so lamely and unfashionable
That dogs bark at me as I halt by them–
. . .
I am determined to prove a villain,
. . .

In these opening lines from Shakespeare's "Richard III," the titular character, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, sets the stage for his notorious machinations. The metaphor of "winter" transforming into "glorious summer" represents a shift from bleakness to prosperity under the reign of Edward IV, marked by the "sun of York," a pun on Edward's emblem. However, Richard, feeling deformed and marginalized by "dissembling nature," reveals his resentment and intent to disrupt this newfound peace. His vivid self-description underscores a sense of alienation, as he is "scarce half made up," eliciting pity and disdain. The vivid imagery of dogs barking at him emphasizes his societal rejection. Richard's resolve "to prove a villain" foreshadows his treacherous path, setting a tone of malevolence that defines the play. This soliloquy not only introduces Richard's duplicitous character but also explores themes of identity, power, and the nature of evil, making it a cornerstone of Shakespearean drama.