The Life of Timon of Athens Exile and Isolation Quotes

In the very first scene, the Poet describes what goes down in his poem, and guess what? The poem features someone suspiciously like Timon being abandoned. Our foreshadowing radars just went off... too bad Timon's didn't, though. He thinks the whole thing is amusing. Clearly, this guy is so wrapped up in himself that he can't see trouble even when it's right in front of him.

Watch out, because Timon's in a rage at the collectors coming to get the money from him. He goes nuts and thinks about whether it would be better to isolate himself from everyone. We know he goes through with it, but is he better off? Was this his only option?

Alcibiades is pretty livid at the news that he's been banished. Even though he quickly hatches a plan to attack, he focuses here on what it feels like to be forced out of his hometown. Turns out it hurts. Don't feel too bad for the guy, though. This is the spark that makes Alcibiades decide to take over the city and set it right. It all works out for him in the end. (How different Alcibiades's end is from Timon's end, are we right?)

Timon wails at the city gates as he leaves Athens because—let's face it—he doesn't really have any other cards to play. We're interested in how he wants to rid himself of everything—and we mean everything—from Athens. He even takes off his clothes, because that's how much he wants to be alone and forget everyone and everything else. Also, symbolism alert: when somebody strips pretty much naked on stage, it probably means that they're going through some kind of transformation or identity change.

As the servants gather and say their goodbyes before leaving Timon's house, we hear one of the them despondently say these lines. We suddenly realize this isn't just about Timon isolating himself from society; his servants are totally left up the creek without a paddle, as well. They are also alone, but nobody seems to give them even a second thought.

We pity the fool who thinks he can befriend Timon. After all, this is Timon's response when Alcibiades calls him a friend. Yikes. Timon lays it all out pretty clearly: he doesn't want any company. Why is Timon so extreme about all of this? Why does he have to reject everybody?

Apemantus isn't one to make friends in the playground: he just wants to be left alone. Hmm… where have we heard that before? From Timon, perhaps? It's clear from this little encounter that two isolated misanthropes do not a fun time make. But why not? Why can't these guys see eye-to-eye, even when they're actually seeing eye-to-eye?

Ouch. This is what Timon says this to Apemantus to get rid of him. In case we didn't know before that Timon wants to be alone, we get it now. Why does Timon feel the need to repeat this wish so often? Why doesn't he travel to a different section of the woods so he can be alone? He seems to be situated for maximum exposure: maybe he just wants to complain all day so that people feel bad for ditching him?

When the Poet and Painter come knocking, Timon is quick to dish out advice about being alone. But we think this isn't so much about his company, as it is about all men at this point. Timon thinks all men are alone, whether they have friends or not. Now that's deep.

Timon is not interested when the Senators plead for help against Alcibiades's attack, and he's not afraid to show it. By this point in the play, Timon doesn't care about anyone (maybe not even himself, it seems). He can't wait to put and end to his endless string of visitors. He doesn't even want people visiting his grave; he wants to be alone… forever. Totally emo.