Timon of Athens · Chapter
Scene V explained
Alcibiades pleads before the Athenian Senate for the life of a friend who killed in hot blood, arguing for mercy and citing his friend's valiant service.
What happens
Alcibiades pleads before the Athenian Senate for the life of a friend who killed in hot blood, arguing for mercy and citing his friend's valiant service. The Senate is unmoved, condemns the man to death, and when Alcibiades persists, they banish him. Enraged, Alcibiades vows to turn his discontent against Athens.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Revenge
Alcibiades argues for mercy and justice based on service, but the Senate's rigid application of law leads to his banishment and vow of revenge.
Fortune and Reversal
Alcibiades, once a celebrated captain, is swiftly banished, marking a dramatic reversal of fortune.
Ingratitude
Alcibiades laments that his past military service is disregarded by the Senate, highlighting ingratitude.
Characters to notice
- Alcibiades
Pleads for his friend's life before the Senate, is banished, and vows revenge.
- First Senator
Leads the Senate in condemning the killer and banishing Alcibiades.
- Second Stranger
Supports the First Senator's strict stance on the law.
Key passages
“For pity is the virtue of the law, And none but tyrants use it cruelly.”
Mercy is the law's greatest quality; only tyrants are cruel.
Alcibiades appeals to the Senate's sense of compassion.
“To revenge is no valour, but to bear.”
True courage lies in enduring wrongs, not in seeking revenge.
The First Senator counters Alcibiades' plea with a stoic maxim.
“Banish me! Banish your dotage; banish usury, That makes the senate ugly.”
You should banish your own foolishness and greed, which disfigure the Senate.
Alcibiades angrily retorts after being banished.