Athens' Timon

Author: [English] Shakespeare Wang Lili
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-11-01
Features: The Merchant of Athens is Shakespeare's last tragedy, written around 1607-1608. Timon, a wealthy nobleman of Athens, is generous and benevolent, and around him gather some flattering "friends." Both the poor and the nobles are willing to become his followers and dependents, hoping to deceive him for money. Timon soon loses all his wealth and becomes heavily in debt. Those who had benefited from him immediately cut off contact with him, while the creditors mercilessly force him to repay his debts. After discovering his compatriots' ingratitude and greed, Timon becomes a misanthrope. He announces another banquet, inviting his former guests and social elites. These people mistake Timon for having feigned poverty to test their loyalty and rush to him, feigning sincerity in declaring their devotion. Timon reveals the truth, pouring boiling water from the plates onto the guests' faces and bodies, and curses them severely. From then on, Timon leaves the city he can no longer endure, retreats to a desolate cave, and lives like an animal, eating tree roots. One day, while digging for roots, he discovers a pile of gold. He distributes the gold to the poor, prostitutes, and thieves who pass by. In his view, hypocritical "friends" are worse than thieves, and he curses humanity and gold with venom. In the end, he dies alone in despair.