Timon of Athens · Chapter
Scene II explained
Timon is confronted by creditors demanding payment, but he remains confident in his friends' loyalty.
What happens
Timon is confronted by creditors demanding payment, but he remains confident in his friends' loyalty. He sends servants to borrow money from his wealthy acquaintances, including Lucius, Lucullus, Sempronius, and the senators, while Flavius reveals that many have already refused. Timon also asks Ventidius, whom he once helped, for repayment of a loan. Despite Flavius's warnings, Timon insists his friends will not fail him.
Themes in this chapter
Flattery and Deception
Timon's belief that his friends will help him is based on their past flattery, which Flavius knows is insincere.
Ingratitude
The senators and friends who refuse to help Timon despite his past generosity highlight the theme of ingratitude.
Characters to notice
- Timon
Confronted by creditors but remains optimistic about his friends' support; sends servants to borrow money.
- Flavius
Steward who warns Timon of his financial ruin and reveals that many have already refused loans.
- Apemantus
Engages in cynical banter with the fool and the creditors' servants, mocking their greed.
- Caphis
A creditor's servant who demands payment from Timon.
- Alcibiades
Present with Timon but leaves when creditors arrive.
Key passages
“No care, no stop! so senseless of expense, That he will neither know how to maintain it, Nor cease his flow of riot: takes no account How things go from him, nor resumes no care Of what is to continue: never mind Was to be so unwise, to be so kind.”
Flavius laments that Timon is reckless with his spending, ignoring the need to manage his wealth and continuing his lavish lifestyle without concern for the future.
Flavius's opening soliloquy establishes Timon's financial irresponsibility.
“You make me marvel: wherefore ere this time Had you not fully laid my state before me, That I might so have rated my expense, As I had leave of means?”
Timon questions Flavius why he was not informed earlier about his financial situation so he could have adjusted his spending.
Timon's denial of responsibility contrasts with Flavius's earlier attempts to warn him.
“I am wealthy in my friends.”
Timon believes his friends' loyalty and wealth will save him from ruin.
This line encapsulates Timon's misplaced trust in his fair-weather friends.