Timon of Athens by William Shakespeare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a tragic take on a premise similar to that of "The Merchant of Venice." That is, there is a gentleman who is generous to a fault - and much beloved because of it - who ends up suffering for it. [It's also a bit like the "Oedipus" trilogy except that, instead of the discovery of unintended incest that sets the lead character walking the wilderness, it's Timon's discovery that he isn't as rich in friendship as he'd thought.] In "Timon of Athens," the lead character (Timon) is going about business as usual (i.e. being a patron to artists, lending to those in need, and holding banquets) when debt collectors begin to gather at his gate.
At first, Timon is unconcerned. Surely, his friends will help him get through this rough patch, just as he has helped so many of them over the years. However, when he sends his servant out to borrow what he needs to get back in the black, he faces rejection after rejection. Eventually, it hits Timon like a hammer that the only reason he ever got any love was because he was always supporting, feeding, and purchasing the products of Athenians. This realization hastens a sea change in Timon's attitude. Timon decides to hold one more "banquet" to which he invites those he's been good to and who've not offered the slightest reciprocity. At the banquet, the dishes are uncovered to reveal stones in water. Timon then gives the assembled crowd a piece of his mind. Then, Timon takes off to live in a cave in the woods - shunning contact with humanity.
One intriguing character is Apemantus, who is a Cynic philosopher. [Cynicism was a school of philosophy that was largely ascetic, nature-oriented, and which rejected many of humanity's norms and values (e.g. valuing comfort and wealth) as anathema to a good life.] Apemantus features in the first part of the story, insulting both Timon and his guests, but also serving as a harbinger of what's to come when he explains that these sycophants only associate with Timon because of what he does for them. In the second half, Apemantus visits Timon in the latter's cave and - among other insults - accuses Timon of being a copycat by adopting Apemantus's way of life.
Living in the woods, Timon stumbles onto a cave of gold. While he could take this money and return to his previous life, that path holds no allure to him. He has no interest in the money. When news of this discovery circulates, people come to the woods to seek Timon's good favor only to be rebuffed. Alcibiades, a military man who was also wronged by Athens and who now promises to destroy the city, is given gold. Also, Timon gives some money to a couple of prostitutes so that they can go spread venereal disease among the Athenian population. The painter, the poet, and the senators who come to Timon are cursed and sent away. Even Timon's servant, Flavius, is told to go away, although he is tolerated when it becomes clear that he is - in fact - an honest man who never sought anything more than his just recompense for virtuous service.
It's generally believed that this play wasn't a completed work, but rather a work in progress. The pacing at the end does become a bit abrupt, but it's hard to know for certain. It's also the case that some points could use fleshing out - notably the discovered gold which gives the latter bit of the play some drama but which also strains credulity. As Shakespeare's tragedies go, this one is at the other end of the spectrum from "Titus Andronicus" in terms of bloodiness, which is to say it isn't at all violent. We don't see Timon's death but only hear about the discovered grave, and otherwise the soldier who Alcibiades tries to save is the only other fatality of note. There are some critics who don't even classify this work as a tragedy, but rather as a problem play.
It's a simple story, but is potent in that it shows such a clear and definite character change. While it's not one of Shakespeare's more popular works, it's definitely worth a read.
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