Timon of Athens

William ShakespeareProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.8

Word count: 48K words
Chapters: 5

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Timon von Athen by William ShakespeareAuthor: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616,Language: German, Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature, Release Date: Jan 1, 2005

Editor's review

This is a public-domain German-language ebook of Shakespeare's late play Timon of Athens (German title: Timon von Athen), released by Project Gutenberg. The play tells of the Athenian nobleman Timon, who lavishes his fortune on feasts and guests, is abandoned by all once his wealth runs out, and finally withdraws from society in bitterness to curse humanity. With sharp strokes it depicts how money corrodes human ties; the banquet scenes contrast starkly with the later wilderness soliloquies, making it one of Shakespeare's most austere works in tone. Its value lies in its concentrated scrutiny of generosity and ingratitude, wealth and hypocrisy; some passages are vehement in language and dense in imagery, making it suitable as a text for discussing the theme of money in Shakespeare. This edition is a German translation that preserves the force of the stage dialogue, allowing readers to sense the shifts in the characters' emotions through the translation. In terms of reading context, it is suitable for selected reading in drama and literature courses, and for critical reading by those interested in questions of human nature and wealth; because of its heavy tone, it is best read in stages with discussion rather than as light entertainment.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Literary readers interested in the theme of money and human nature who are willing to read works of an austere tone
Students taking Shakespeare courses who need selected readings from the late plays
Language learners who want to practice intensive German reading through a familiar play
Theater enthusiasts interested in the contrast between banquet scenes and world-weariness

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer light comedy or happy endings
Readers unfamiliar with German who wish to read the English original
First-time readers expecting detailed annotations and background introductions
Those seeking inspirational or comforting reading experiences

Reading tips

First understand the arc of Timon's shift from generosity to world-weariness, then read the scenes closely for the contrast between early and late.
Read the banquet scenes against the later soliloquies, noting the changes in the characters' speech.
After reading, write brief notes on money and human relationships to sort out your own judgments.
If the tone feels heavy, read it in two or three sittings, interspersing lighter material.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this play a comedy or a tragedy?

The material does not state its classification. In terms of content, it tells of Timon's transformation from generous host to misanthrope; its tone is austere, and it is often regarded as one of Shakespeare's problem plays or a tragic work, so it should not be expected as light comedy.

Can I read this edition if my German is not good?

The language of this edition is German; if your German reading ability is limited, following the dialogue will be difficult. It is advisable to choose the English original or an annotated Chinese translation, or to read a plot summary first before attempting the German text.

Is this book suitable for classroom use?

It can serve as selected classroom reading, especially for discussing themes of money, gratitude, and human nature. However, the material provides no teaching aids, so teachers must prepare background introductions and discussion questions themselves, and should note that the work's tone is rather heavy.

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About the author

William Shakespeare Author · English · 1564–1616

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was the greatest playwright, poet and actor of the English Renaissance. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, he is known as the "Bard of Avon." He wrote roughly thirty-seven to thirty-nine plays, one hundred and fifty-four sonnets and narrative poems. His representative works include Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet. His works span tragedy, comedy and history play, distinguished by rich, poetic language and profound characterization. His explorations of human nature, power, love and fate have had a lasting influence, and his works have been translated into many languages and circulated widely around the world.