Character guide

Timon

major

Also known as Lord Timon, the Lord Timon, Old Athenian, Great Timon, Timon Painting, Second Lord

Timon presides over Athens as its great patron, hosting banquets, settling debts, and dispensing gold with a generosity so absolute it looks like love. His flaw is not merely extravagance but a refusal to imagine scarcity or ingratitude: he trusts the arithmetic of friendship to balance itself. When his steward Flavius finally shows him the ledger, the play pivots from comedy of excess into the most savage study of betrayal in Shakespeare — and Timon's fall is the engine of everything that follows.

Apemantus

supporting

Also known as gentle Apemantus, Apemantus Ay, Apemantus Ho, Apemantus Hoy, Apemantus That, Apemantus Toad

Apemantus accepts Timon's hospitality only to spit on it, calling the flatterers dogs and the banquet poison while everyone else smiles and eats. He is the play's professional truth-teller, and his churlishness raises the question the tragedy keeps asking: is honest misanthropy better than dishonest friendship? When Timon retreats to the woods, Apemantus follows — not to comfort him, but to test whether his new hatred is any more genuine than his old generosity.

Alcibiades

supporting

Also known as Exeunt Alcibiades, Enter Alcibiades, wild Alcibiades, Timon Captain Alcibiades, Third Lord Alcibiades

Alcibiades moves through the play's early scenes as a soldier among senators, honored at Timon's feast but already at odds with a city that prefers procedure to merit. His plea for a friend's life is refused, and the Senate's banishment turns a defender of Athens into its most feared enemy. His arc runs parallel to Timon's: both are cast out by the same ingratitude, but where Timon curses from a cave, Alcibiades marches back with a sword.

Flavius

supporting

Also known as Timon Flavius, Flavius Pray, Flavius Heavens, Flavius Alack, Flavius Good fellows, Flavius Ay, Flavius Aside

Flavius is the one honest voice inside Timon's household, weeping over the accounts he cannot balance while his master keeps buying friends. When the estate collapses, he divides his last coins among the servants and goes looking for Timon in the woods — the only character who loves the man rather than the fortune. His faithfulness is the play's quiet counterweight to its parade of ingrates, and his grief gives the audience permission to mourn Timon rather than merely judge him.

Servilius

minor

Also known as Servilius See, Lucilius Servilius, Servilius Good gods, Good Servilius

A servant of Timon who assists with his master's affairs and later seeks help from former friends.

Lucilius

minor

Also known as Lucilius Who, Lucilius Ha, Lucilius Ay, Lucilius Fie

A young servant of Timon who seeks his master's blessing to marry an old Athenian's daughter.

Flaminius

minor

Also known as honest Flaminius, pretty Flaminius, Lucullus Flaminius, Flaminius Within

One of Timon's servants sent to borrow money from Lucullus, who refuses him.

Lucullus

minor

Also known as Lord Lucullus, the Lord Lucullus, Lucullus La

A flattering friend of Timon who refuses to lend him money when he falls into debt.

Ventidius

minor

Also known as Timon Noble Ventidius

A friend of Timon who is freed from prison by Timon's money but later denies him aid.

Timandra

minor

Also known as sweet Timandra, Phrynia Timandra

A courtesan who accompanies Alcibiades and taunts Timon in his cave.

Varro

minor

A servant of one of Timon's creditors who comes to demand repayment.

Titus

minor

Also known as Titus O

A servant of Timon's creditors who arrives to collect debts.

Sempronius

minor

Another of Timon's false friends who refuses to help him in his time of need.

Caphis

minor

Also known as Caphis Nay

A servant sent by a senator to demand repayment from Timon.

Poet

minor

Also known as Poet Admirable, Poet Sir

A sycophantic poet who flatters Timon for patronage but later abandons him.

Painter

minor

Also known as Painter Ay, Painter Indifferent, Painter Certain, Painter True

A flattering painter who seeks Timon's patronage and later visits him in exile.

Isidore

minor

Also known as the Servants of Isidore

A creditor whose servants demand payment from Timon.

Philotus

minor

Also known as Sir Philotus

A servant of a creditor who comes to collect from Timon.

First Senator

minor

Also known as Senator, First Senator Thou, Senator Worthy Timon

A senator of Athens who condemns Alcibiades and later seeks Timon's help.

Fool

minor

A fool who accompanies Apemantus and trades barbs with the servants.

First Stranger

minor

Also known as Stranger

A stranger who comments on the fickleness of Timon's friends.

Second Stranger

minor

Also known as Second Stranger Ay

A stranger who agrees with the first about Timon's false friends.

Phrynia

minor

Also known as Phrynia

A courtesan who accompanies Alcibiades and mocks Timon in his exile.

Lord Lucius

minor

Also known as Lucius, Hortensius Lucius

A deceitful friend of Timon who pretends generosity but refuses to lend money.

Hortensius

minor

Also known as Hortensius Lucius

A servant of Lord Lucius who assists in debt collection.

Jeweller

minor

A merchant who sells a jewel to Timon in the opening scene.

Old Athenian

minor

Also known as Old Athenian Thou hast a servant named Lucilius

An Athenian who objects to his daughter marrying Lucilius without a dowry.

Messenger

minor

Also known as a Messenger from Ventidius talking with him, Messenger Ay

A messenger who brings news from Ventidius to Timon.