The Theme of "Timon of Athens"

Abstract

So exclusively has the problem of authorship engaged the attention of Timon scholars that the theme and purpose of the play have received only casual remark. Some critics, such as Hazlitt1 and Furnivall2, would make it a satire on the 'ingratitude of men,' although this theme seems incidental in the later acts. Some, like Richardson3, would rather blame Timon for 'ostentatiousness' or wanton prodigality; but, as Wright4 and Wecter5 show, Shakespeare looked upon him as a public hero. Most critics give up the problem; and, though Hazlitt had declared that Shakespeare followed closely 'the unity of his design,' they find the play incoherent-hasty or unfinished or botched by an incompetent reviser. Stapfer called it 'more brilliant than solid6'; and Lee deplored its 'lack of constructive plan7.' Parrott termed it a 'dramatic impossibility,' which 'presents a striking figure in an interesting situation, but... gives no satisfactory account of the development of the situations.' Wright, likewise, found the plot disunified, Timon's change of nature unmotivated, and Alcibiades' vengeance unconnected with Timon's wrongs9. Adams felt the material 'unsuited to a great drama10'; and Lawrence wondered why Shakespeare chose the subject 1. Thus the play is censured as disorganised, meaningless, and, apart from the purple passages, no credit to Shakespeare's genius, although it is regularly dated about 1608, at the very height of his dramatic power. But this is only one of several difficulties that the tragedy presents. The prodigal Timon of the earlier acts seems to be rather a fool; and the misanthropic Timon of the latter acts seems, if not a knave, at least an unpleasing portrait of vengeful cynicism; and yet Shakespeare clearly expected his audience to sympathise with Timon. According to the faithful Flavius, who was in a way to know, Timon's 'worst sin is, he