← All Plays

    Timon of Athens

    tragedy

    Timon of Athens is one of Shakespeare's darkest and least performed plays, often counted among the problem plays. Timon is a rich and generous Athenian who showers money and gifts on a crowd of admiring friends. When his fortune runs out and he asks those same friends for help, every one of them turns him away. Disgusted with humanity, Timon abandons the city to live alone in the wilderness, where he curses the world and everyone in it.

    ▸SCENE I. Athens. A hall in Timon's house.▸SCENE II. A banqueting-room in Timon's house.

    ▸SCENE I. A Senator's house.▸SCENE II. The same. A hall in Timon's house.

    ▸SCENE I. A room in Lucullus' house.▸SCENE II. A public place.▸SCENE III. A room in Sempronius' house.▸SCENE IV. The same. A hall in Timon's house.▸SCENE V. The same. The senate-house. The Senate sitting.▸SCENE VI. The same. A banqueting-room in Timon's house.

    ▸SCENE I. Without the walls of Athens.▸SCENE II. Athens. A room in Timon's house.▸SCENE III. Woods and cave, near the seashore.

    ▸SCENE I. The woods. Before Timon's cave.▸SCENE II. Before the walls of Athens.▸SCENE III. The woods. Timon's cave, and a rude tomb seen.▸SCENE IV. Before the walls of Athens.

    Characters

    View all characters →Explore themes →
    TimonAthenian lord, generous benefactor turned misanthropeApemantusCynic philosopher, Timon's criticFlaviusTimon's loyal stewardAlcibiadesAthenian general, exiled like Timon

    Famous Quotes

    See all quotes →

    “I am Misanthropos, and hate mankind.”

    Timon — Act 4, Scene 3

    “Gold? yellow, glittering, precious gold? No, gods, I am no idle votarist.”

    Timon — Act 4, Scene 3

    “Thou visible god, That solder'st close impossibilities, And makest them kiss!”

    Timon — Act 4, Scene 3

    Further Reading

    Best Lines by Shakespeare: Quotes on Life, Love and More

    A curated collection of Shakespeare's most famous lines, organised by theme, from love and loss to daily wisdom, sport and celebration. Each quote includes the play it comes from and why it still resonates.

    Who Was William Shakespeare? A Complete Life and Biography

    The life of Shakespeare: born in Stratford 1564, the Globe, his death in 1616, and the First Folio. The facts, checked.

    Test Your Knowledge

    Think you know your Shakespeare? Put it to the test with one of our free quizzes.

    Ultimate Shakespeare Quiz Hamlet Quiz Romeo & Juliet Quiz Emoji Quiz Insults Quiz
    See all quizzes →
    Buy the Arden edition on Amazon →

    As an Amazon Associate, ShakespeareGo earns from qualifying purchases.