Timon of Athens by William Shakespeare
"The Life of Timon of Athens" by William Shakespeare is a play, traditionally thought to have been written during the early 17th century. The narrative explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and the corrosive effects of wealth through the character of Timon, a noble Athenian whose generosity turns into misanthropy when he realizes the hollowness of his friends' affections. The opening of the play introduces Timon surrounded by various artists and merchants who
seek his favor and patronage. As he graciously entertains these suitors, a sense of disparity begins to build, especially with the entry of Apemantus, a cynical philosopher who criticizes Timon's lavish lifestyle and the nature of his friendships. Timon displays a heartwarming kindness, yet there are hints of looming financial despair as tensions from creditor demands begin to surface. This early exposition establishes the contrast between Timon's initial generosity and the eventual decline into social isolation and disappointment, foreshadowing his tragic transformation. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 |
|---|---|
| Title | Timon of Athens |
| Note | Wikipedia page about this book: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timon_of_Athens |
| Credits | the PG Shakespeare Team, a team of about twenty Project Gutenberg volunteers |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 84.9 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PR: Language and Literatures: English literature |
| Subject | Tragedies (Drama) |
| Subject | Timon of Athens (Legendary character) -- Drama |
| Subject | Athens (Greece) -- Drama |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 1536 |
| Release Date | Nov 1, 1998 |
| Most Recently Updated | Sep 19, 2025 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 211 downloads in the last 30 days. |
| Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free! | |