Timon Ateenalainen
1623
Timon Ateenalainen
1623
Translated by Paavo Emil Cajander
A tragic play written during the late 16th to early 17th century. The narrative focuses on Timon, a wealthy Athenian nobleman known for his generosity and lavish lifestyle, as he navigates themes of friendship, betrayal, and the transient nature of wealth. The play explores the complexities of human relationships and highlights the fallibility of those who place their trust in others. At the start of the play, we are introduced to Timon, who is surrounded by admirers and sycophants, celebrating his wealth and kindness. He appears to be a benefactor to the impoverished, offering financial support and upholding friendships. However, the opening scenes foreshadow his impending downfall, as his friends seem to only value him for his riches and fail to provide reciprocity in moments of need. Meanwhile, his steward Flavius expresses concern about Timon's reckless spending, hinting at the financial troubles that lie ahead. The dynamics of wealth and friendship are vividly illustrated as Timon's life begins to unravel under the weight of ungratefulness and deceit.
Editions
X-Ray
“Like madness is the glory of this life.””
— William Shakespeare
“The moon's an arrant thief, And her pale fire she snatches from the sun.””
— William Shakespeare
“I’ll beat thee, but I should infect my hands.””
— William Shakespeare
“Timon will to the woods, where he shall findTh' unkindest beast more kinder than mankind.The gods confound - hear me, you good gods all -Th' Athenians both within and out that wall!And grant, as Timon grows, his hate may grow To the whole race of mankind, high and low!Amen.””
— William Shakespeare
“Would thou wert clean enough to spit upon!””
— William Shakespeare
“Here lies awretched corse, of wretched soul bereft:Seek not my name: a plague consume you wickedcaitiffs left!Here lie I, Timon; who, alive, all living men did hate:Pass by and curse thy fill, but pass and staynot here thy gait.””
— William Shakespeare
“A beastly ambition, which the gods grant thee t'attain to! If thou wert the lion, the fox wouldbeguile thee; if thou wert the lamb, the fox wouldeat three: if thou wert the fox, the lion wouldsuspect thee, when peradventure thou wert accused bythe ass: if thou wert the ass, thy dulness wouldtorment thee, and still thou livedst but as abreakfast to the wolf: if thou wert the wolf, thygreediness would afflict thee, and oft thou shouldsthazard thy life for thy dinner: wert thou theunicorn, pride and wrath would confound thee andmake thine own self the conquest of thy fury: wertthou a bear, thou wouldst be killed by the horse:wert thou a horse, thou wouldst be seized by theleopard: wert thou a leopard, thou wert german tothe lion and the spots of thy kindred were jurors onthy life: all thy safety were remotion and thydefence absence. What beast couldst thou be, thatwere not subject to a beast? and what a beast artthou already, that seest not thy loss intransformation!””
— William Shakespeare
“My heart is ever at your service””
— William Shakespeare
“How came the noble Timon to this change?TIMON: As the moon does, by wanting light to give:But then renew I could not, like the moon;There were no suns to borrow of.””
— William Shakespeare
