Read this excerpt from act I, scene I, of Richard III. What two purposes does this soliloquy serve in the opening scene?
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



Answer :

Final answer:

Richard III's soliloquy in the opening scene serves character development and sets the tone for the play, using poetic language to enhance the theatrical experience.


Explanation:

The soliloquy in Richard III's opening scene serves two main purposes:

  1. Character Development: It provides insight into Richard III's character, showcasing his self-awareness of his physical deformities and his jealousy towards those who are more attractive and charming.
  2. Setting the Tone: It sets the tone for the play by introducing themes of deceit, manipulation, and ambition, foreshadowing Richard's villainous actions.

Additionally, the poetic language used in the soliloquy enhances the theatrical experience by creating contrast-ing images and sounds, setting up rhetorical patterns, and utilizing expansive word choice.


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