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Timon, a rich Athenian lord, gives away his fortune in lavish gifts and banquets to a crowd of flatterers. When his money runs out and his creditors close…
Timon, a rich Athenian lord, gives away his fortune in lavish gifts and banquets to a crowd of flatterers. When his money runs out and his creditors close in, he asks his friends for help, and every one of them refuses. Turning against all humanity, Timon gives a last banquet of warm water and stones, then leaves the city to live in a cave in the woods, where, digging for roots, he finds gold, which he gives to anyone who will use it to destroy Athens.
Context and significance
Written around 1605 or 1606, probably together with Thomas Middleton, the play may have been left unfinished. Karl Marx quoted Timon's speech on gold in his analysis of money. The play was first printed in the First Folio of 1623, whose text is used here. Compare King Lear.
About the author
William Shakespeare (1564–1616), born in Stratford-upon-Avon, actor, playwright and shareholder of a London company, wrote about thirty-seven plays and 154 sonnets.