Question

What is the meaning of the underlined words in this excerpt from act I, scene I, of Richard III?

RICHARD III (Duke of Gloucester):
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
Into this breathing world, scarce half made up,

The meaning of the word AMBLING is: to walk or stroll, to talk flirtatiously, to mumble absent-mindedly, to dance gracefully.

The meaning of the word CURTAIL'D is: to be increased by a small amount, to forcibly take away, to impose a restriction, to be deprived.

Answer 1

If you are on Plato the sentence in which curtail'd is used is the exact same sentence they use to define it.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

The meaning of the word 'ambling' as used in the passage is to WALK OR STROLL.
In the passage, the author is saying that, he finds it distasteful to strut before a small child who is walking or strolling in a relaxed manner.
The meaning of the word 'curtailed' as used in the passage is to BE DEPRIVED OF SOMETHING.
The author is saying in this line, that he is deprived of beauty.