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Summary
Timon enters with his friends and servants, followed by a lagging Apemantus. Ventidius, just released from prison, thanks Timon for paying his bail. He says he hopes to repay Timon someday, but Timon says he gave the money out of love, and he won’t feel that he has truly been generous if he gets anything back. All the lords acknowledge these deeds, but Timon insists there’s no need for ceremony among friends.
Apemantus makes a snickering comment, so Timon welcomes him, but Apemantus refuses his welcome. Timon sends Apemantus to a distant table by himself so his bad temper won’t spoil the party. Apemantus declares that he has come to the feast merely to observe, and he scorns Timon’s proffered food, saying he won’t be paid to flatter Timon. He is horrified at the mob of senators and lords who eat up Timon’s feast like birds of prey might devour Timon’s flesh. Yet Timon doesn’t notice them diminishing his bounty; rather, he urges them on. The other lords give thanks to the gods, but Apemantus says his own grace, declaring he will never trust the oath or bond of anyone; he prays only for himself.
Timon speaks to Alcibiades, asking him if he would rather be out in the field with his soldiers. Alcibiades says he would rather be at the feast, and Apemantus scorns him for flattery. A lord says that he wishes Timon would come to some trial or face some difficulty so that all his friends could help him out for once. But Timon says they all help him by being his friends, and he was born to help them out and benefit them by sharing his fortune.
A servant announces several ladies outside who have asked to be admitted to the feast. Several women disguised as Amazons enter and perform a dance for the feasters. Apemantus criticizes the dancers, calling them madwomen and depraved flatterers. The other lords join the women in dancing. After the women depart, Timon calls his servant Flavius to bring in a small casket. Flavius notes to himself that his master’s reserves are running out, but he can’t say anything to Timon about it when he’s in a giving mood. Flavius returns with the casket, and Timon gives jewels to all the lords.
Flavius asks Timon if he can speak to him about an important matter, but Timon puts him off. One servant enters, announcing that senators have come to visit. Other servants enter to announce gifts from the lords Lucius and Lucullus. Flavius notes to himself that Timon gives great gifts to these lords from an empty coffer, and he refuses to listen to an account of his diminished holdings. Timon is essentially bankrupt, and his generosity is fueled by debt. He owes money on every gift, having mortgaged all his lands. Flavius puts muses that Timon ruins himself faster by providing for friends than he would by struggling against enemies.
Timon then bestows an array of gifts on the lords in attendance. He gives his horse to one lord and money to Alcibiades. The lords say how indebted they are to Timon, and they depart.
Apemantus remains with Timon. Timon says he would give Apemantus a gift too if only he would be less sullen, but Apemantus says there would be no one to criticize Timon if he is bribed, and then Timon’s downfall would come even faster. Timon swears he won’t listen to Apemantus and departs. Apemantus says he wishes men would listen to advice more readily than they do to flattery.
Analysis
Here we see Timon in action, giving away his bounty at a rate faster than he can possibly have earned it. Lords and senators attend his feast, seemingly in hopes of receiving gifts from Timon, who dispenses them with abandon, declaring that giving gifts to his friends brings him great pleasure. Such acts of generosity are part of what he believes defines friendship, so he wants nothing in return. Those around him seem to take Timon at his word, truly believing that he doesn’t want them to reciprocate. But it’s important to note that Timon’s understanding of friendship isn’t one-directional. Though he refuses simple acts of reciprocity, he does articulate a philosophy of friendship that’s premised on mutual need. As he puts it, “what need we have any friends if we should ne’er have need of ’em?” (1.2.92–93). These words clearly indicate that Timon sees friendship as a function of reciprocal need, even as he flagrantly showers those in his community with extravagant gifts.
Yet it becomes very clear in this scene that, however inexhaustible Timon seems to think his wealth is, his coffers are far from bottomless. As an increasingly anxious Flavius tries to explain to Timon at several points, he’s almost entirely out of material riches, and every gift he gives, he gives on credit. Timon’s finances are therefore hanging on a thread, and all it will take to bankrupt him is for his creditors to call his debts due. It isn’t entirely clear why Timon is so unaware of his financial situation, though Apemantus seems to think that he’s addicted to flattery. In this sense, Timon does get something in return for his gifts. Perhaps this, then, is why Timon evades Flavius, and why he refuses to acknowledge the warnings given by Apemantus. Timon may unconsciously want to avoid the truth that he’s come to the end of his funds, which means he’s also about to learn who his real friends are.
As it turns out, and despite his grouchy demeanor, Apemantus may very well prove one of Timon’s only real friends. His role in these proceedings is initially that of the cynical observer, participating in events only to criticize them. He goes to the feast, but not as one of Timon’s flatterers; in fact, Timon pointedly doesn’t give him a gift after he has bestowed something on all the other guests. Apemantus is so critical of Timon he seems the farthest thing from being a friend. And yet, his criticism may be a front for genuine concern for Timon’s well-being in the face of such bald exploitation. Knowing that Timon won’t listen to his advice, he may hide behind sharp commentary. But if we disregard his apparent cruelty, it’s possible to discern what it is that Apemantus understands as a truly meaningful act of friendship: not gift-giving or ego-boosting flattery, but the offering of honest counsel. This definition of friendship isn’t smoothly compatible with Timon’s, but it does seem sincere. And as we will see, though his feelings about Timon are never fully made plain, Apemantus will be one of the only people to continue to support him once he’s bankrupt.
