Richard uses this metaphor to celebrate his family's present good fortune. Edward, his brother, has just taken the throne from Henry VI. This fortune turns the "discontented winter" into "glorious summer." Richard uses Edward's emblem the sun to metaphorically disperse the clouds over their family's house. Over the rest of the speech, Richard's happiness about the current state of affairs ebbs a bit as he reflects on his deformity —a hunchback—which he claims makes all days winter for him. He reveals his own ambitions for the throne and establishes the desires which will lead to manipulation, treachery, and murder later in the play.
