his lover. She professes her love and he denies her. In rage, Timon sets his house ablaze and then heads to the forest to live as a life as a hermit. While digging for roots to eat, he finds large amount of gold. He is then visited by number of people from Athens. He is first visited by Alcebiades and two whores. He learns of Alcebiades' plan to wage war on Athens, and gives him some money to help fund his army. He also gives money to whores to encourage them to spread diseases around Athens. He is then visited by Evandra who questions him about his coldness to her. Next, he is visited by two lords who have heard about Timon's discovery of the gold. Timon gets angry and then sends them away. Eventually he dies. Characters Because of the nature of the written version of this play (many of the names are abbreviated or cut off or misspelled) it is difficult to create a perfect list of the characters in the play. However, this list is close to accurate. Timon: Athenian who becomes a misanthrope and a cave-dwelling hermit after citizens take advantage of his generosity, then refuse to help him when he runs out of money. Aelius, Isidore, Phaeax: Lords who are false friends of Timon. Senators of Athens. (Note: Lucius is also the name of a servant in the play.) Ventidius: Another of Timon's false friends. Apemantus: Cynical philosopher who warns Timon that his friends are using him. Demetrius: Loyal steward of Timon. Warns Timon about his depleting money. Alcibiades: An Athenian general wronged by Athens. On-off relationship with Melissa. Thais, Phryne: Mistresses of Alcibiades. Old Athenians Diphilus, Flaminius, Lucilius, Servilius: Servants of Timon. Caphis, Philotus, Titus, Lucius, Hortensius: Servants of Timon's creditors. Poet, Painter, Jeweller, Merchant Page, Fool, Three Strangers Cupid and Amazons: Entertainers performing in a masque. Minor Characters: Other lords, senators, officers, soldiers, banditti (bandits), attendants. Evandra: Loyal lover of Timon Melissa: Shallow, materialist woman who leaves Timon. Nicias: Melissa's father Chloe: Melissa's friend Nymphs, Shepard, Aegipanes, Hout-Boys: Chorus References Bibliography External links Full text 1677 plays Plays by Thomas Shadwell Compositions by Henry Purcell Plays and musicals based on works by William Shakespeare