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In this excerpt from act I, scene I, of Shakespeare's Richard III, what two purposes does Richard's soliloquy appear to serve?
RICHARD III (Duke of Gloucester): Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York;
And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.
Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths;
Our bruised arms hung up for monuments;
Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings,
Our dreadful marches to delightful measures.
Grim-visaged war hath smooth'd his wrinkled front;
And now, instead of mounting barded steeds
To fright the souls of fearful adversaries,
He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber
To the lascivious pleasing of a lute.
But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks,
Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass;
I, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty
To strut before a wanton ambling nymph;
I, that am curtail'd of this fair proportion,
Cheated of feature by dissembling nature,
Deformed, unfinish'd, sent before my time
Into this breathing world, scarce half made up.
And that so lamely and unfashionable
That done hark at ma se I halt hu tham

In this excerpt from act I, scene I of Shakespeare's Richard III, Richard's soliloquy serves two main purposes:

1. Character Development: Richard's soliloquy reveals his inner thoughts and feelings, showcasing his bitterness, self-loathing, and desire for power. Through his words, the audience gains insight into Richard's manipulative and ambitious nature. For example, Richard expresses his resentment towards his physical appearance and his belief that he is unfit for love or happiness, highlighting his complex character.

2. Plot Advancement: Additionally, Richard's soliloquy foreshadows the events that will unfold in the play. His ambition to rise to power and his willingness to deceive and manipulate others hint at the cunning schemes he will employ to achieve his goals. This sets the stage for the political intrigue, betrayal, and violence that will drive the narrative forward, establishing Richard as a central figure in the plot.

By serving these dual purposes of character development and plot advancement, Richard's soliloquy in this excerpt contributes to the depth and complexity of the play, laying the foundation for the unfolding drama and Richard's role as a compelling antagonist.