Timon of Athens (2)

Somehow I had expected the National Theatre's production and staging of Timon of Athens to be a moral tale about greed, flattery, corruption and the state of the capitalist economy in the context of Athens itself:

"The commonwealth of Athens is become a forest of beasts" (Act 4, scene 3, l. 347-8).

Instead, it was firmly based in the City of London, and the play opens with the tents of the anti-capitalist protesters occupying the stage.

I don't know why I felt dissatisfied by the production at times. The writing is superb (but more kinder?):

From Timon of Athens:

Timon will to the woods, where he shall find
Th’ unkindest beast more kinder than mankind.
Act 4, sc. 1, l. 35-6.

Men shut their doors against a setting sun.
Act 1, sc. 2, l. 145.

I wonder men dare trust themselves with men.
Act 1, sc. 2, l. 43.

This is no time to lend money, especially upon bare friendship without security.
Act 3, sc. 1, l. 41-3.


At least the play seems to have had some impact on a senior Bank of England official.