Timon of Athens
About This Novel
"Timon of Athens" is Shakespeare's last tragedy, written around 1607-1608. Timon, a wealthy aristocrat in Athens, was generous and charitable, and gathered some flattering "friends" around him. No matter the poor or the nobles, they were willing to become his entourage and diners in order to defraud him of his money. Taimen soon ran out of money and was heavily in debt. Those "friends" who had benefited from him immediately severed ties with him, and his creditors ruthlessly forced him to repay his debts. Timon became a cynic after discovering the ingratitude and greed of his fellow citizens. He announced another party, inviting past regulars and celebrities. These people mistakenly thought that Timon was pretending to be poor to test their loyalty, so they flocked to him and confessed their feelings to Timon falsely. Timon opened the lid, poured hot water from the dish on the faces and bodies of his guests, and scolded them. From then on, Timon left the city that he could no longer bear, hid in a desolate cave, ate tree roots to satisfy his hunger, and lived like a beast. One day he discovered a pile of gold while digging for tree roots. He distributed the gold to poor people, prostitutes, and thieves who were passing by. In his opinion, false "friends" are worse than thieves. He viciously curses humans and gold, and finally dies alone in despair.
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