Timon of Athens Act Three – “Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.”

Timon of Athens Act Three – “Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.”

The first of Timon’s servants arrives to try to solicit a loan to save Timon from ruin. At Lucullus’ house, Flaminius, has brought a box under his arm which Lucullus thinks is a gift from Timon. Flaminius says that the box is empty which Timon has sent him with to fill with the loan. Lucullus refuses to give any loan and chastises Timon’s lack of frugalness.

“…Many a time and often I ha'

dined with him, and told him on't, and come again to

supper to him, of purpose to have him spend less,

and yet he would embrace no counsel, take no warning

by my coming. Every man has his fault, and honesty

is his: I ha' told him on't, but I could ne'er get

him from't.”

Lucullus tries to give Flaminius a bribe of several coins to tell Timon that he didn't see him but Flaminius flings the money back at Lucullus who leaves. departs. Flaminius contemplates the fickleness of friendship and exits. 

We cross to another of Timon's 'friends', Lucius who is talking to others about the rumours of Timon being broke and in debt. Lucius initially does not believe the rumous even those that Timon asked Lucullus for money, and Lucullus was refused. Lucullus claims that he would never have refused Timon a loan if asked. 

Then Timon's servant Servilius enters and Lucius is initially pleased because he thinks that Timon has sent a present. When Servilius explains that he is there because Timon needs a loan, Lucius claims all his riches are presently tied up in investments and sends only good wishes to Timon. Lucius exits and Servilius leaves to return back to Timon empty handed. The crowd discuss the nature of friendship and how even though Timon was generous to Lucius that Lucius won't give Timon a small loan compared to what he got from Timon. They bemoan the lack of pity in Timon's friends while talking about their own wealth.

Hope now rests with Timon's last servant who has been to see Timon's other 'friend' Sempronius. Ironically, Sempronius is annoyed that Timon asked a loan from him after Lucullus or Lucius were approached and he says he feels slighted to be a last port of call and he leaves, also not providing any loan to Timon. The servant declares Sempronius a villain and leaves to tell Timon the bad news. 

Outside Timon's house, creditors servants gather waiting for Timon.  They find it strange that Timon's 'friends'refuse him loans while still wearing the jewels he gave them. These servants even see that their masters accepted the gifts of Timon but now can find no gratitude for Timon. When Flaminius and Flavius enter, the creditor's servants they demand to know where Timon is. Flavius leaves in anger and when  Servilius enters, he is barraged with questions, but claims that Timon is sick.

Then Timon bursts out from his house in a rage. He bemoans the fact that his hous has now become his prison and that his house like mankind now shows him "an iron heart". The barrage him with bills and Timon rushes back into the house.

Inside, Timon speaks to Flavius and says that he has a plan. He tells Flavius to organize another feast. Flavius says they can't afford another feast but Timon tells him that it will all be alright and then he gets Flavius to invite all and sundry to the feast.

Meanwhile in the Senate House, the senators discuss the fate of a man. Alcibiades pleads for his friend saying that he is an honourable man. Alcibiades then appeals to them as a soldier and asks them to consider that although his friend acted impulsively that everyone should not be blamed for their every action. The senators reject Alcibiades's pleas. Alcibiades then points out that his friends valour on the battlefield should be ample payment for his freedom. The senators don't agree and condemn Alcibiades's friend to death. Alcibiades points out his own valour on the battlefield should be ample payment for his friend's freedom. The senators refuse and further more banish Alcibiades for his insolence. Alcibiades is enraged and threatens to gather troops to strike back at Athens. 

“I'm worse than mad: I have kept back their foes,

While they have told their money and let out

Their coin upon large interest, I myself

Rich only in large hurts. All those for this?

Is this the balsam that the usuring senate

Pours into captains' wounds? Banishment!

It comes not ill; I hate not to be banish'd;

It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury,

That I may strike at Athens. I'll cheer up

My discontented troops, and lay for hearts.

'Tis honour with most lands to be at odds;

Soldiers should brook as little wrongs as gods.”

The freeloaders and Timon's ‘friends’ including Lucullus, Lucius and Sempronius have arrived for his feast. They discuss Timon's supposedly being broke but decide that it was all a test. They express false remorse at having not giving Timon a loan.

Timon enters, and a number of lords apologize for not supplying Timon a loan when asked. Timon dismisses apologies, and asks them to all sit down for the feast. Timon speaks and offeres thanks to the gods before the dishes are uncovered:

“Each man to his stool, with that spur as he would to

the lip of his mistress: your diet shall be in all

places alike. Make not a city feast of it, to let

the meat cool ere we can agree upon the first place:

sit, sit. The gods require our thanks.

You great benefactors, sprinkle our society with

thankfulness. For your own gifts, make yourselves

praised: but reserve still to give, lest your

deities be despised. Lend to each man enough, that

one need not lend to another; for, were your

godheads to borrow of men, men would forsake the

gods. Make the meat be beloved more than the man

that gives it. Let no assembly of twenty be without

a score of villains: if there sit twelve women at

the table, let a dozen of them be--as they are. The

rest of your fees, O gods--the senators of Athens,

together with the common lag of people--what is

amiss in them, you gods, make suitable for

destruction. For these my present friends, as they

are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to

nothing are they welcome.

Uncover, dogs, and lap.”

Then the dishes are uncovered and only steaming water and stones are revealed. Timon shouts to all that this is his last feast. He shouts that he will wash off their flattery and villainy with the feast's water and he throws the water in their faces and curses all the lords. He then beats them all and misanthropically declares that he henceforth hates all men and all humanity before he exits:

“Live loathed and long,

Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites,

Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears,

You fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time's flies,

Cap and knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks!

Of man and beast the infinite malady

Crust you quite o'er! What, dost thou go?

Soft! take thy physic first--thou too--and thou;--

Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none.

(Throws the dishes at them, and drives them out)

What, all in motion? Henceforth be no feast,

Whereat a villain's not a welcome guest.

Burn, house! sink, Athens! henceforth hated be

Of Timon man and all humanity!”

The lords think that Timon has gone mad.