Timon of Athens · Chapter
Scene III explained
In the woods near the sea-shore, Timon, now a misanthrope, encounters Alcibiades, Phrynia, and Timandra.
What happens
In the woods near the sea-shore, Timon, now a misanthrope, encounters Alcibiades, Phrynia, and Timandra. He curses Athens and all mankind, gives gold to Alcibiades for his war, and urges destruction without mercy. After they leave, Timon digs for roots and discovers gold, which he condemns as the source of corruption. Apemantus arrives, and they exchange bitter insults about their respective miseries and the nature of flattery.
Themes in this chapter
Misanthropy and Human Nature
Timon fully embraces misanthropy, declaring himself 'Misanthropos' and cursing all mankind, while Apemantus challenges his self-righteous hatred.
Wealth and Corruption
Timon's speech on gold reveals its power to invert morality—making 'black white, foul fair'—and its role in corrupting individuals and society.
Fortune and Reversal
Timon's fall from wealth to poverty is contrasted with his discovery of gold, and he reflects on how fortune shapes human behavior and relationships.
Characters to notice
- Timon
Now calling himself Misanthropos, Timon curses mankind and Athens, gives gold to Alcibiades, and discovers more gold while digging for roots.
- Alcibiades
Visits Timon with his army and companions, receives gold, and is urged to wage total war on Athens.
- Phrynia
Accompanies Alcibiades and begs Timon for gold, receiving curses and diseases instead.
- Timandra
Accompanies Alcibiades, is called a whore by Timon, and is given gold after being cursed.
- Apemantus
Finds Timon in the woods and engages in a bitter philosophical argument about misery, flattery, and human nature.
Key passages
“I am Misanthropos, and hate mankind.”
I call myself 'Man-hater' and despise all humanity.
Timon declares his new identity as a misanthrope to Alcibiades.
“Thus much of this will make black white, foul fair, Wrong right, base noble, old young, coward valiant.”
This much gold can turn black into white, ugliness into beauty, injustice into justice, low birth into nobility, age into youth, and cowardice into bravery.
Timon reflects on the transformative and corrupting power of gold.
“Thou flatter'st misery.”
You are flattering my wretched state.
Timon accuses Apemantus of flattering him by engaging with his misery.