Tragedy · c. 1606

Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens

A jagged, possibly unfinished fable (likely co-written with Thomas Middleton): Timon spends his fortune on friends who vanish the moment he needs them, and swings from limitless generosity to limitless misanthropy without pausing at moderation.

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By the Seven Ages editors2 min read

The first half is satire, the second a string of increasingly ferocious curses from a cave outside Athens — some of the darkest and funniest invective Shakespeare wrote. A rough diamond for readers interested in money, friendship, and what each pretends to be.

Timon of Athens on screen

1Timon of Athens (1981)

TV film · dir. Jonathan Miller

BBC Television Shakespeare

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