Timon of Athens · Chapter
Scene VI explained
Timon hosts a final banquet for his false friends, revealing dishes of warm water instead of food.
What happens
Timon hosts a final banquet for his false friends, revealing dishes of warm water instead of food. He denounces them as flatterers and parasites, throws water in their faces, and drives them out, cursing Athens and humanity before retreating.
Themes in this chapter
Flattery and Deception
Timon exposes his guests as 'mouth-friends' and 'parasites' who flattered him for gain.
Ingratitude
Timon's friends, who borrowed from him, refuse to help and now face his wrath.
Fortune and Reversal
Timon's reversal from generous host to bitter misanthrope culminates in this feast.
Characters to notice
- Timon
Hosts the last feast, exposes his false friends, and curses them and Athens.
- First Senator
Among the lords attending the feast, comments on Timon's madness.
- Alcibiades
Mentioned as having been banished from Athens.
- Flavius
Not present in this scene.
Key passages
“May you a better feast never behold, You knot of mouth-friends! smoke and luke-warm water Is your perfection.”
May you never see a better feast, you bunch of fake friends! Your true nature is nothing but smoke and lukewarm water.
Timon curses his guests as he reveals the dishes contain only warm water.
“This is Timon’s last; Who, stuck and spangled with your flatteries, Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces Your reeking villany.”
This is Timon's final feast; I, who was covered in your flattery, now wash it off and throw your filthy villainy back in your faces.
Timon declares this his last feast and physically rejects their flattery.
“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!”
May you live long and hated, you smiling, smooth-talking parasites, polite destroyers, friendly wolves, gentle bears, you fortune's fools, table-friends, time's flies, bowing slaves, empty vapors, and time-servers!
Timon unleashes a torrent of insults against his former friends.