Timon of Athens: Analysis of Major Characters
"Timon of Athens" is a Shakespearean play that delves into themes of generosity, ingratitude, and misanthropy through its major characters. At the center is Timon, a noble Athenian whose relentless generosity ultimately leads to his financial ruin. Despite his lavish gifts and support for friends, he faces rejection and betrayal when he seeks help, leading him to a deep disillusionment with humanity. This transformation drives him into exile, where he turns to misanthropy and seeks vengeance against those who wronged him.
Key characters include Alcibiades, a respected Athenian captain who is both Timon’s friend and a symbol of loyalty, as well as Flavius, Timon’s devoted steward who attempts to warn him of his impending downfall. Apemantus, a cynical misanthrope, represents a contrasting view on human nature, while various Athenian lords and flatterers demonstrate the fickle nature of friendship in the face of wealth. The dynamics among these characters explore the consequences of unchecked generosity and the harsh realities of social ingratitude, inviting reflection on human relationships and societal values.
Timon of Athens: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: William Shakespeare
First published: 1623
Genre: Play
Locale: Athens and the nearby seacoast
Plot: Tragedy
Time: Fourth century b.c.e.
Timon (TI-muhn), a noble Athenian who impoverishes himself through his unceasing generosity to his friends. He lavishes gifts on them, offers help when they find themselves in trouble, and entertains them at extravagant feasts, paying no attention to the warnings of his steward that his fortune is dwindling. Refused at every door when he himself needs assistance, he is so completely disillusioned with human ingratitude that he becomes a misanthrope and flees to the woods to escape humanity. Before his departure, he invites his acquaintances to a final banquet, where he sets before them bowls of water. Bent on avenging his injuries and knowing that wealth breeds discontent and misfortune, he dispenses gold from a newly discovered treasure trove, and he encourages Alcibiades' attack on his native city. He composes his own epitaph as a final defiance of ungrateful humankind: “Pass by, and curse thy fill, but pass and stay not here thy gait.”
Alcibiades (al-sih-BI-uh-deez), the great Athenian captain, Timon's friend, and several times the savior of his state. Banished by the senate when he defends one of his soldiers against a death sentence, he later returns with an army to take vengeance on the city and purge it of evil.
Flavius (FLAY-vee-uhs), Timon's loyal steward, who tries to warn his master of impending financial disaster and later attempts to ward off greedy creditors. He, alone, remains virtuous, following his master into exile to offer his money and companionship. Timon can hardly believe that he, too, is not false, but he sends him away with money, advising him to use it to escape the society of men.
Apemantus (ap-eh-MAN-tuhs), a professional misanthrope who wanders through Athens railing at its citizens and commenting cynically on their folly. He greets Timon in the wilderness as a kindred spirit, but he finds himself rejected as one who has no cause for misanthropy; he has never benefited others enough to be able to feel ingratitude.
Lucullus (lew-KUHL-uhs), Lucius (LEW-shee-uhs), and Sempronius (sem-PROH-nee-uhs), Athenian lords who accept Timon's bounteous gifts with pleasure and make weak excuses when they are asked to help him satisfy his creditors.
A Poet, a painter, a merchant, and a jeweler, flattering craftsmen who are also beneficiaries of Timon's generosity. They disappear from view as soon as he loses his money, but the poet and the painter follow him into the forest when they hear rumors of his new treasure. They are beaten and sent away by the misanthrope, who clearly sees their hypocrisy.
Ventidius (vehn-TIHD-ee-uhs), an Athenian nobleman, freed from debtors' prison by Timon. He offers to repay his debt while Timon is still prosperous, but, like all his friends, he refuses his benefactor money when it can obviously bring him nothing in return.
Lucilius (lew-SIHL-ee-uhs), Flaminius (fluh-MIHN-eeuhs), and Servilius (sur-VIHL-ee-uhs), Timon's servants, who try unsuccessfully to persuade rich Athenians to relieve their master's distress.
Hostilius (hos-TIHL-ee-uhs), a foreign visitor who, with two friends, observes the ingratitude that the Athenians show toward Timon and silently condemns them.
Caphis (KAY-fihs), Titus (TI-tuhs), Hortensius (horhTEHN-shee-uhs), and Philotus (fi-LOH-tuhs), servants of Timon's creditors. They comment cynically on the heartlessness of their respective masters.
Timandra (ti-MAN-druh) and Phrynia (FRI-nee-uh), courtesans, Alcibiades' companions, whom Timon orders to infect the whole city of Athens, promising them gold.
Cupid (KYEW-pihd), the god of love, who introduces a masque presented by Timon for his friends.