Shakespeare Explained - Richard III opening scene Now is the winter of our discontent.

Richard III opening scene, Now is the Winter of our Discontent, explained in depth.
This is part of my Shakespeare explained series.
The opening soliloquy to Shakespeare's Richard III, starting with the words, "Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this sun of York" is amongst the most famous of Shakespeare's speeches. We begin with some historical background from the Wars of the Roses before jumping into Richard III opening soliloquy.
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This video about the speech almost shakespeare line by line, giving a total understanding of Shakespeares words and Richard's meaning. Including rhetorical devices and double meanings.
These videos are intended as shakespeare talks which have shakespeare explained line by line or at least take the study of shakespeare speeches in depth.
The way to understand the bards works is to simply understand what is being said. He wrote for everybody, and though the structure of language has changed, it is still easily understood if you take the small effort to listen to some videos which help to explain short speeches of shakespeare in depth.
And that is why I have created the Shakespeare explained series. Line by line Shakespeare which will enable you to become so familiar with his words, that you will be able to go away and enjoy the finest literature ever produced in the English language. Once you have discovered William Shakespeare properly, you will wish you had known him all of your life and will roll your eyes when somebody says: Why studyShakespeare?
Please take the time to watch the video all the way through, or save it to watch at a later time.
I would very much like to hear your thoughts on the videos and your own interpretation of Shakespeare and your favourite passages.
Please like and subscribe if you enjoyed this video and come back again for some more of Shakespeare Explained.
If you love classic literature, then you can also follow me on Instagram
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Thank You
Tristan

[@JamesCarthy]

I’m not in school just a big Shakespeare fan so I appreciate videos like this

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you. Nice to meet another Shakespeare lover.

[@Khatoon170]

Shakespeare is genius although he didn’t resume his study , as I read he left school to help father . He educated himself and he is greatest playwright and poet all over world. No one can replace his literary fame . Iam Arabic lady subscriber to several British and American KZbin channels. Thank you for your wonderful cultural channel.

[@rosiehart3134]

Can you do more shakespeare explained video? It's such a joy to watch your video!!

[@julianaltmann3606]

I want you to be my English teacher! Thank you so much for this detailed explanation.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Awww, you are the best. The fact that you are watching this type of video makes me believe that you will prove to be the best teacher that you could have. Keep watching videos and loving language and you'll be blessed with a treasure trove of knowledge. Are you currently studying Richard III?

[@secretofsinging]

Excellent,,thank you so much.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you. Im pleased you enjoyed it.

[@dailimaxam9801]

Well done. You have made me love Shakespeare more.

[@maryqueiroz6985]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. WONDERFUL TEACHER.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

You're very welcome! And thank you Mary for being so kind as to leave such a lovely comment.😀

[@jillianaprati108]

This was a great explanation. Thank you!

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you Jillian. So pleased that you enjoyed it. And thank you for taking the time to comment I really appreciate it. Sorry for my delayed response.

[@toinsola]

wow, thanks so much for this video. It answered a lot of questions I've had

[@RayBrookes1954]

I have watched Sir Lawrence Olivier present this opening scene many times and never understood half of it. Your explanation is brilliant, concise and in a language I can follow. Thank you for posting.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you Ray, I really appreciate it. This soliloquy of Shakespeare's is a beauty. Olivier's performance is excellent, though the soliloquy that he gives is combined with another monologue given by Richard in the play Henry VI. This is where he speaks of taking Machiavel to school.

[@o_lin3202]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 do you know why he did this? I mean, I think I’ve watched that soliloquy about 100 but haven’t been able to find any information on why he presented it this way!

[@jasondesjardins7371]

This was great stuff and thanks for this. I've struggled with Shakespeare my whole life but I keep coming back. Cheers from Ohio.

[@josleysen5813]

Thank you! I have enjoyed it.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

You are welcome Jos Leysen. Thank you for taking the time to even leave a comment. It means a lot. If there are any other videos you would like to see on Shakespeare or literature please feel free to leave a suggestion. 👍

[@tommyfredriksson9198]

Thanks - this was really good. I've been checking out a lot of historical documentaries about the Wars of the Roses and I just watched the one where they found Richard III underneath a car park in Leicester. What a rush!

[@user-sf3fe4bh2q]

I saw " Richard 3" some 10 years ago in "Satirikon" theatre and liked it very much. A very deep createon.

[@antidepressant11]

I like the way you explain all the detail without getting boring. That's a real art. If you don't teach high school, you should.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you so so much. Sadly I don't teach at school. I used to want to but couldn't bear the Red tape of beaurocracy.

[@antidepressant11]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 this is my fave video of yours. Probably because I've not read many books that you cover. Richard 111 is only the second Shakespeare play I've read. What an evil bastard he was too! 😆

[@mictache]

Amazing channel and excellent explanation! As a non native English speaking actor, it's just great! Looking forward to seeing more Shakespeare. Thank you

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you for such praise, I am so grateful. Also thank you for even taking the time to post your encouragement. If there are any particular topics you would like me to create a video on, please feel free to leave a suggestion. Thanks.

[@mictache]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 I remember about a year and a half ago looking for something similar with what you do, when researching Richard III and this video would have been great for what I was doing at the time. Better late (for me) than never. For acting/actors purposes, I'd love to see English plays in general and Shakespeare in particular. Things like explaining stuff like "stomped" R III is extremely valuable. Monologues especially. Cheers and thanks once again!

[@Avefenix1956]

Thank you Tristan

[@mikeythehat6693]

I've struggled with the opening of Richards speech for some time. I've concluded that he's trying to be optimistic. "Winter" signifies death, it's the end of the year and, poetically, describes the death of something. "The winter of our discontent" describes the end of his (or his countries) discontent, and it is turned to "Summer" by "This son of York" his brother the King. He's trying to be optimistic but then goes on to describe his own personal state of mind, which doesn't fit with the Summery picture that he imagines the rest of the country basking in. He is tormented by his own inner turmoil. His misshapen body reflects an attitude that is opposed to the happiness of the general populace..... Anyway that's what I think.

[@juandiegosagasti1595]

Thank you so much for this video! I'm actually working this soliloque for a play. Very useful! keep it going!

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Pleased you found it useful Juan. Good luck with the play.👍😃

[@kasiakwiatkowska5816]

Tristan, this is absolutely incredible.. I just shared your content and Patron opportunity to a very close friend of mine, and you’d never believe what we did today! We went to see Henry V in Orlando Shakes 🎉🎭 the play was spectacular! And so I told Mary all about you. Also sent her Your wonderful analysis of the play from 2 years ago. Can’t wait to hear her feedback 😊

[@gillsheahan1641]

At the opening soliloquy, you remind us that Edward IV has no children, so George then Richard are his heirs at this point. So the action appears to take place over some years, in order for the young princes to be born and then murdered. Is that right? Thanks

[@BOTG_Adventures]

He was not a bad man, blame the Tudors for deformation of character. He also did not have a hunch back or a withered arm. He fought and died like a true warrior, hit in the face with an axe, two strikes with a sword to the head with one spilling his brains, and a death strike of a dagger pushed into the top of his head. They beat him so badly, part of his Armor was found in his body. Thats how a warrior and man dies, not many kings fight till the end. RIP. KR III

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

100% with you on this BOTG. The Tudors no doubt did a smear job on him as part of justifying Henry Tudor's very distant and tenuous claim to the English throne. Richard's pedigree was indisputable by comparison. Also, Richard was the last King to have the bravery to, not only go into battle in person, but to lead a cavalry charge into the most dense part of the action. Like you say, a real warrior. I respect him for his bravery and consistancy. And the abuse he suffered after he was killed was also barbaric. He didn't have a hunched back, although it is thought he would have had a somewhat raised shoulder and perhaps a slightly uneven gait due to his very severe scoliosis. Traits which the Tudors magnified cynically. As for his moral character, I cannot say as far far too little is known about him. Great administrator, brave to a fault but also part of a warring dynasty. In my opinion, almost anyone amongst the great noble houses was certainly tainted by some nasty traits. But as you say, any defects would have been amplified by the victorious Tudors (who produced some of the worst scallywags the country has ever known.) No doubt they threw in some extra stuff too. What political entity ever tells the truth and refrains from slander? All that being said, in the play itself, the character Richard is a real 'bad guy' and a brilliant one at that. And, I privately sense that Shakespeare's own view of him was quite positive. He manages to make him more charismatic than all of the Lancastrian characters in Henry V, Henry VI part one and two and in Richard III. If I were speaking about history, instead of the characters of the play, I would certainly not have passed judgement on him as bad or worse than the others. Personally I've always had a soft spot for him. From my own investigations I think the depiction of Richard was very maligned by the Tudors. On the other hand I suspect that, as with all modern perspectives divorced from the events by centuries and necessarily filled with conjecture, the pro-Richard approach of say, the Richard III society is likely to be lop-sided in it's view, due to it's determination to find the best in the man and vindicate him at all costs. My opinion is that all nobles that would engage in the butchery of Towton, Eavesham and Tewkesbury just to make their families more powerful were decisively and irrevocably persons full of pride, avarice, violence, hatred and inhumanity. Even taking into account how 'life was in those days,' as is often cited as an excuse, scheming the death of others and sacrificing the lowly people to fight your personal vendettas and pursuit of power is, without exception, the mark of a terrible person. In that sense I think that every single noble that fought in the battles was a bad person. Hope this clarifies my thoughts for you BOTG. I am broadly of your opinion. Just in this video, I was only discussing Richard the character of Shakespeare's play. Thank you though for leaving these remarks as they are good for others to read who may take the plays depiction of Richard as historical truth. That would be a travesty.😀👍

[@BOTG_Adventures]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Thank you fine Sir for a brilliant and intelligent response its hard to find that these with so many triggered at anything even remotely not to their taste. It may sound very strange and I have been ridiculed for saying it... but.. I do believe in a previous life I live in York and died at Towton. I was never a History buff. But when i first learned of Towton it felt so familiar, i almost burst in to tears and had trouble breathing, I do not know why, I also feel slightly emotional surrounding Richard the iii again I do not know why. visiting York is a very strange thing for me, I see people from old times past, and the main bridge as it was in a wooden state. lock me up as a looney, but I know its all very strange this connection I have with York, Richard and Towton. I hear the white jackets coming over the hill for me :) Thank you for your response and for making this video, fantastic, I hope you make more.

[@Capybaraism]

God bless King Richard III! The Good King. The Warrior King!

[@Capybaraism]

Boots on the Ground UK: May I please contact you through email? Because I can totally relate to everything you said regarding past lives for this same particular era. You’re the first I’ve come across to admit these things aloud. I thought I was the only one. Thank you.

[@peixeverde6043]

Profound, precise, very enjoyable. Thank you for doing this video! :-))

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

This was a very encouraging comment to recieved. I am so sorry that ig has taken me so long to reply with my thanks. It has been a bit of a rough year. But thank you so much for commenting, I truly appreciate it. If you have suggestions for other videos please feel free to make them. 👍

[@walternyc]

This is a great in depth explanation of one of the best Shakespearean soliloquies. Thanks!

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

walternyc Thank you ever so much for your comment. I truly appreciate it. I do hope to make some more videos as soon as circumstances permit. Comments like yours are most encouraging. Are there any other things you would like to see analysed?

[@walternyc]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 I am a great Shakespeare fan so any in depth on a soliloquy, or secondary character or a sonnet! I will for sure watch with attention and gratitude. I found your Rirchard explanation as part of a preparation to watch a production from the Druid Company in New York. I always re read the plays and study before attending.

[@SrSacaninha]

Wonderful! Thank you for this.

[@JesusGonzalez-in3mv]

Thank you.

[@ileanawalker1515]

Wonderful thank you

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Well that's deuced kind of you to say Ileana. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. Is there any other topic you would like me to perhaps make a video about. Shakespeare or other literature. If you have an idea, I am more than willing to take suggestions. I need as much advice as I can get.🎩👍

[@reeseduncan8728]

Great analysis! Very informative

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Glad it was helpful Reese. Thank you very much for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it. Shakespeare is something else isn't he?

[@beckerabstracts]

He is probably one of the most interesting characters in history.

[@brianchristensen366]

Thanks, Tristan. I just finished reading Richard III and really enjoyed it. In 2020, I read the book about finding his body beneath the car park and knew that Shakespeare's play wasn't historically accurate, but I wanted to read it anyway. As a play, I thought it was great! As history, it's pretty bad.

[@maximilianwenning371]

Wow fantastic!!!!!!!

[@alexkx3]

I always took "winter of our discontent" to mean the discontent was over, i.e. the end of our discontent, maybe I'm wrong, but the "now" makes me think the winter of our discontent is the same as the glorious summer, otherwise it contradicts.

[@tonybklyn5009]

An excellent analysis and explanation of Richard's famous soliloquy. I enjoyed your presentation immensely and derived much intellectual satisfaction. I wish that you had been my college English literature instructor; you make what would otherwise be dull and alien come humanly alive.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thanks so much Tony. Isn't it just one of the best speeches ever written? I am always struck by how magnetic Richard is, despite him telling us that he is an absolute rotter.😂 Perhaps it is just his gumption and unflinching courage that makes him a character that we have to grudgingly respect. The "My Kingdom for a horse" moment was crushing for me. He was a baddie, but still made of something akin to greatness. Am I making any sense?😂

[@tonybklyn5009]

Your videos on classic literature are treasures to discover & enjoy. Your good work is appreciated. There's another speech in Henry V which I enjoy very much & that is the King's exhortation to his troops: "Once more unto the breech dear friends, once more". By the way, speaking of Shakespeare, I'm curious to know of your thoughts on the Shakespeare authorship question. Regards, Tony @@tristanandtheclassics6538

[@Celina-12388]

Thank you so much! This video was amazingly helpful. Are you going to make any other ones?

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Celina 12388 thank you very much for your kind comment, it was very motivating. I hope to do more of these videos in the near future. Do you have anything particular that you would like me to cover? Kind regards - Tristan

[@Celina-12388]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Well, thing is that for A level literature we're currently doing Richard III, 1984, A Streetcar Named Desire and Maud- quite a range of different texts to study. I suppose any of those would be helpful, especially Richard III. Seeing as you've explained the opening soliloquy so expertly (even better than what I've been taught in class thus far) I can't help but suggest later scenes to analyse, such as the wooing scene of Lady Anne, or perhaps Act 4 Scene 4 - if I'm not mistaken--where Richard's decline in power through his lexicon against Elizabeth. Those are my suggestions, however, I'll gladly be watching any video you make since they're quite amazing.

[@priyadarshanmanohar5146]

Wonderful analysis! Do you have an analysis of Hamlet's "to be or not to be" soliloquy?

[@stutzbearcat5624]

Freaking FANTASTIC!!!

[@gaton6116]

Happy 100 subscribers 🥳

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you so much. I wasnt sure anyone would want to watch my little videos so this means a lot. I appreciate your taking the time to leave a comment. Its people like you that keep me going.😃🎩❤

[@sampritibhattacharya7676]

Enjoyed it so much. Please make some more videos.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you Sampriti your positivity is really encouraging. Thank you. Is there anything about literature you are particularly interested in that you would like me to cover? Thank you once again.

[@sampritibhattacharya7676]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Sir, I would love to hear you talk on Macbeth. Maybe, a passage where you discuss Macbeth's conflict. Or maybe two passages, from before and after the murder, to show the transformation in character. I loved the way you pointed out that Richard's monologue could be read in multiple tones. It kind of reminded me of Macbeth.

[@kaleemzafar15official]

Very well explained

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Glad it was helpful! I am so sorry for my late response, life gets quite hectic. Really appreciate your taking the time to comment and be supportive.

[@sebastianjaramillo3987]

What a great video! Thank you so much for putting this out there and taking the time to explain everything in such great detail.

[@getmartincarter]

Olivier’s speech at the beginning of the play seems to last longer , contain references to his own mother and end differently suggesting Olivier’s version is the amalgam of two speeches from the play ., is this correct ?

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Yes it is. He takes part of Richards soliloquy from Henry VI part 2. I am going to do a video on that very soon.

[@arfenmalik1717]

Thank-you for the explanation Am watching the movie richard iii and at first i thought the actor was speaking Greek 😂😂

[@JayietheRiverWarrior]

Wait, you said that the king didn’t have any children yet, but he did? If I remember right the play’s timeline is never fully stated, but it appears that the time from when Clarence is imprisoned to his death is rather brief, and then the King dies right after, and the princes are imprisoned shortly after. Historically, the Duke of Clarence was imprisoned in 1477, by which time King Edward VI’s son and heir Edward V would have been six or seven years old, and his younger brother Richard of Shrewsbury would have been there or four. The prophecy “‘G’ of Edward’s heirs the murderer shall be” isn’t referring to G as one of Edward’s heirs and as a murderer - it’s referring to G as the murderer of Edward’s heirs, which refers to Richard of *G*loucester eventually ordering the death of the Princes in the Tower, Edward’s sons and heirs.

[@pilaj8911]

Really enjoyed this video. Getting ready to go watch the play and this was perfect!

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you Pila. I'm pleased that it was useful to you. How was the play?😀

[@pilaj8911]

It was intense and wonderful. I enjoyed it so much more since I felt that I had my bearings after watching your video. Truly I am appreciative!

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

@@pilaj8911 And I am very appreciative for your be kind enough to take the time to tell me. Thank you.

[@mattiataralluccio713]

Grazie prof chen. Awesome video

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you ever so much Mattia. Your comment means a lot. Are you a fan of Shakespeare? Do you have a favourite one? 😃🎩

[@mattiataralluccio713]

@@tristanandtheclassics6538 I love Shakespeare. Mi favorite one is Romeo and Juliet, only because I'm from Italy. Every Shakespeare's opera is amazing

[@giacomodevoto3670]

I agree with you Mattia Taralluccio

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

@@mattiataralluccio713 I envy you living in such a romantic Country. A good deal of Shakespeare is set there and he seems to have been particularly in love with Verona. Do you live near Romeo and Juliet territory?😃🎩❤

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

@@mattiataralluccio713 As for the operas, many are beautiful. But I once went to see A Midsummers Night Dream by Benjamin Britton and that one was a bit tough on the ears😂

[@maximilianwenning371]

Could you cover the monologue of lancelot gobbo as well? You are very good at this

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

That's a really unique request. I will certainly put that on my list just for you😁👍❤

[@maggieattenborrow6725]

What a shame there are so many adverts!!!!!!!

[@BOTG_Adventures]

You keep saying, Richard says here... he didn't say anything, its what SP said.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

I know what you mean BOTG. Historically he didn't say these things. What I meant is that 'In the play' Richard says these things. I should have been more specific.

[@shadunduwayo5084]

May I kindly have your personal email?

[@benfica00]

This is really good but in my opinion a bit judgmental as well.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you Marco, pleased you enjoyed it. Which parts did you find judgemental? 😃👍

[@stefanomagaddino6868]

Sorry, Tristan, but I do not agree. I think that Richard is a victim of circumstance. That because of his misshapen appearance he is paranoid and afraid of being passed over by love and responsibility. So yes, he gives into evil to attain what he believes is truly his. This is how I would approach playing Richard.