Timon of Athens

Roles

• Sempronius - Adult (36-50), Senior (>50), Male

About this piece

Sempronius expresses his anger for being asked last to give Timon a loan

Summary

Timon is a generous wealthy man in Athens who enjoys sharing his wealth with his friends without expecting anything in return. In the first scene of the play we are introduced to him when a poet, a painter and a jeweler arrive to his house, hoping to sell their goods and services, knowing of his generous nature. He buys from them and then negotiates to pay for the release of a friend who is in jail because of his debts, Ventidius. After throwing a feast for his friends and giving them several gifts, various people wonder how he can manage not to run out of money. When three creditors send their servants to collect from Timon, Flavius, Timon's servant, tells his master that he is in debt and has no money left. Timon sends his three servants to ask his friends for a loan. His first two friends refuse to give him a loan and send his servants away. The third friend to be asked for a loan is Sempronius, in ACT III, Scene 3. In this monologue Sempronius expresses his anger for being the last one to be asked for a loan. He considers it an insult because Timon thought of him as his last option. He refuses to give him a loan as well.

Tone

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