Where does the phrase winter of our discontent come from?
3 min read
Asked by: Billy Vinnage
The title comes from the first two lines of William Shakespeare’s Richard III: “Now is the winter of our discontent / Made glorious summer by this sun [or son] of York”.
What does the phrase winter of discontent mean?
The phrase was taken from the opening lines of Shakespeare’s play Richard III. It was used to suggest that people were not happy with the way the Labour government was running the country. The same phrase is now used to refer to any difficult political situation that occurs during the months of winter.
Who said Now is the winter of our discontent?
William Shakespeare’s
While William Shakespeare’s reputation is based primarily on his plays, he became famous first as a poet.
What is Steinbeck’s winter of our discontent about?
About The Winter of Our Discontent
Set in Steinbeck’s contemporary 1960 America, the novel explores the tenuous line between private and public honesty, and today ranks alongside his most acclaimed works of penetrating insight into the American condition.
What does the summer of our discontent mean?
This phrase is a metaphor in which Richard uses winter and summer to suggest that the reign of King Edward-IV has turned sadness, which is like winter, into celebration, like summer.
Who said a horse my kingdom for a horse?
King Richard
Possibly the most famous line in the play – the one everyone quotes whether they have seen the play or not – is uttered by King Richard. For want of a horse, the King’s fate and the future of his kingdom, is sealed.
What is the talisman in the winter of our discontent?
The talisman is therefore a bundle of contradictions, much like man and the world he inhabits.
What does the phrase brevity is the soul of wit mean?
Brevity is the soul of wit comes from the play Hamlet, written by English poet William Shakespeare around 1603. Polonius says it in act 2, scene 2. Simply put, brevity is the soul of wit means that clever people can express intelligent things using very few words.
Who is the son of York?
Richard, the future king, opens his play not by protesting his discontent, but by celebrating an upturn in his family’s fortunes. His brother Edward IV—they’re sons of the Duke of York—has wrested the English crown from Henry VI and the Lancastrian house.
Did king Richard marry his niece?
After his wife died, King Richard publically denied “in a loud and distinct voice” he had any intention of marrying his niece. Elizabeth was sent from the court and Richard opened up negotiations to marry the king of Portugal’s sister.
What is the meaning of the phrase the clouds that Lour D upon our house?
Sun is a pun in this line, playing upon the word son. – / – / – / – / – / And all the clouds that lour’d upon our house. In this straightforwardly iambic line, Richard extends the metaphor by comparing the erstwhile reign of Lancaster to the gloom of a cloudy sky, playing upon the “sun of York” line that precedes it.
