What Number Of Men Eat Timon Daniel Ross

In his article titled “‘What Number of Men Eats Timon’: Consumption in Timon of Athens” author Daniel Ross explores Shakespeare's use of consumption in Timon of Athens and other works. Ross claims that imagery of consumption scattered throughout Shakespeare’s tragedies, specifically Timon of Athens, suggests that there is an underlying “bitterness” or “contempt” for society that the playwright may have held. By viewing the play through this lense one could theorize that Timon of Athens is a relevant commentary and warning of the predatory nature of society then and now. The essential problem and irony in Timon of Athens is that the protagonist is himself a consumer and contributor to the terrible society in which he eventually comes to resent. Ross explains this peculiar situation presented in Timon of Athens, “Timon fails to understand, in the first two acts, that he is himself the banquet, the meat upon which his fellow Athenians feed. Timon, in fact, is a consumer also, digesting the flattery of his guests, but he learns that their words lack substance when he loses the resources to entertain them” (Ross, par. 2). This empty exchange between Timon and other Athenians can still be seen in modern society. …show more content…
Shakespeare’s contempt for such a society comes to a head when Timon replies to the senators, who, came to his cave to ask for help, “Come hither, ere my tree hath felt the axe, and hang himself. I pray you, do my greeting” (Shakespeare, Act V Scene I). Perhaps the senators truly were sorry for what they had done to Timon, or maybe they came to use him for his recently acquired riches. The most likely scenario is they hoped to convince Timon to stop Alcibiades’ invasion. Timon had the means to save the senators and Athens from Alcibiades’ army, but believed that they did not deserve