Act Summaries
Act I
Timon of Athens unfolds in ancient Greece, with the opening act set in Timon's opulent residence. In the grand reception room, a poet, a painter, a jeweler, and a merchant gather, each presenting something they hope will catch Timon's eye and lead to a purchase. Timon enters, surrounded by a group of people seeking his favor or patronage. Among them is a messenger from Timon's friend Ventidius. Upon learning that Ventidius has been imprisoned for failing to repay a debt, Timon immediately offers to settle the amount. An elderly man arrives, complaining about Timon's servant Lucilius courting his daughter. Timon proposes to match the dowry the man intends to give his daughter, and the old Athenian agrees to the marriage. In the grand banquet hall, Timon hosts an extravagant feast for his guests. Throughout the evening, they are entertained by a masque featuring women dressed as mythical Amazons, who dance to the sound of lutes. At the event's conclusion, Timon gifts a precious jewel to one friend and a valuable horse to another, while his steward and his friend Apemantus try unsuccessfully to warn him about the imprudence of his generosity.
Act II
The next day, a money-lender observes the substantial debt Timon owes him and other creditors and instructs his servant Caphis to demand immediate repayment from Timon. Upon Caphis' arrival at Timon's estate, he encounters Isidore and Varro, servants of two additional creditors. Timon appears, and the three servants insist that he settle his debts with their masters. Timon pulls his steward aside to inquire about his financial status. The steward explains that he has repeatedly tried to alert Timon to his growing debts, but Timon ignored his warnings. As the steward outlines the dire state of Timon's finances, Timon remains confident that the friends he has been so generous to will surely help him. He dispatches the steward and three of his servants to request money from these friends.
Act III
Timon's servants seek assistance from three of his friends—Lucullus, Lucius, and Sempronius—but each refuses to help. Meanwhile, a group of servants sent by various Athenian moneylenders gathers at Timon's residence. As Timon attempts to pass by, they obstruct him and shove their masters' bills at him. Realizing there's little chance of receiving payment, they eventually leave. Timon instructs his steward to invite all the friends who declined to aid him to his home for another feast. The scene shifts to a location where three senators discuss an ongoing murder trial. Alcibiades enters and pleads for leniency for the defendant, an old and cherished friend of his, but they deny his request. When Alcibiades reminds them of the gratitude they owe him for his wartime service, the senators exile him from Athens. In Act III's final scene, the friends Timon invited for dinner arrive at his home. Servants bring in covered dishes and place them before each guest. Upon uncovering the dishes, they find only warm water, which Timon throws in their faces, accompanied by curses and insults.
Act IV
Outside Athens, Timon delivers a harsh condemnation of the city and its people, vowing never to return. He chooses a cave near some woods and a desolate seashore for his exile, where he calls upon nature to annihilate humanity. While digging for roots to eat, he discovers a stash of gold. Alcibiades, along with two prostitutes, unexpectedly encounters Timon. Upon learning that Alcibiades plans to wage war on Athens, Timon encourages him to destroy the city and bring chaos even to its innocent residents. He offers Alcibiades gold to help fund his soldiers, and when...
(This entire section contains 859 words.)
Unlock this Study Guide Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
the women see it, they plead for gold as well. After Alcibiades and the women depart, Apemantus arrives and urges Timon to return to the city. Timon responds with a torrent of verbal abuse. Some bandits, having heard rumors of Timon's newfound wealth, come to rob him, but Timon baffles them by giving them more than they could have stolen. Timon's next visitor is his steward, whose loyalty proves that there is at least one honest person in the world. However, Timon drives him away.
Act V
The poet and painter go in search of Timon, only to be met with his insults. Soon after, the steward returns, this time accompanied by two Athenian senators. They express deep regret for how they treated Timon in the past and implore him to convince Alcibiades not to attack the city. However, Timon shows no concern about the fate of Athens, even if it means the death of every man, woman, and child. Disheartened, the senators leave with the steward. Meanwhile, one of Alcibiades's soldiers, tasked with finding Timon, instead comes across his grave. The soldier uses wax to capture the inscription from Timon's tombstone and rushes back to Alcibiades. Outside Athens, Alcibiades listens to two senators begging him to spare the city. He agrees to their pleas, promising to punish only those who wronged Timon and himself, while leaving the other citizens unharmed. The soldier arrives with the news of Timon's death, and Alcibiades reads the copied epitaph aloud. He then enters Athens, committed to balancing justice with mercy.