The quote "Now is the winter of our discontent" from Shakespeare's "Richard III" captures a sense of dissatisfaction and turmoil at the beginning of the play. It reflects the protagonist’s feelings of struggle and unrest as he prepares to seize power in a time of political chaos. This opening line highlights the dark, cold atmosphere of despair that permeates the narrative, setting the stage for the conflicts that follow.

Shakespeare uses this metaphor of winter to signify a period of hardship and discontent, contrasting it with the hopeful promise of change and renewal that spring represents. Richard's ambition and devious nature are foregrounded in this line, symbolizing his determination to transform his bitter circumstances into a quest for dominance, illustrating the broader themes of ambition and morality prevalent throughout the tragedy.