The life of Timon of Athens / by
By: William Shakespeare and Thomas Middleton ; edited by John Jowett.
Contributors: Middleton, Thomas, d. 1627.; Jowett, John.
Series: The Oxford Shakespeare
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2004
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 370
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616; Timon of Athens (Legendary character) -- Drama; Timon of Athens (Legendary character) in literature; Loss (Psychology) -- Drama; Rich people -- Drama; Recluses -- Drama; Poor -- Drama; Athens (Greece) -- Drama
Genres: Drama.
Description: "Timon of Athens is a bitterly intriguing study of a fabulously rich man who wastes his wealth on his friends, and, when he is finally impoverished, learns to despise humanity with a hatred that drives him to his grave. Its response to matters topical in Jacobean London sharpens its thrust as satire. Yet the setting in ancient Athens allows it to read as a timeless fable, deeply relevant to a modern society that sees itself as pursuing material prosperity to the point of self-destruction." "The play's plot structure is schematically clear, and the poetry of Timon's rage is arresting in its savage intensity. Yet readers have often detected loose ends, and the tone of writing is uneven. In his introduction, John Jowett explains how these characteristics arise because the play was written as a collaboration between Shakespeare and Thomas Middleton. This edition pays full justice to Middleton's presence, explaining how his contribution gave the play its distinctive edge. We as readers need to read this play as a dialogue between writers of different temperaments, and this edition is the first to make such a reading possible." "The introduction provides the fullest account of the play's performance history available. The commentary is the most detailed ever to have been published. Appendices include source materials and a listing of major productions worldwide."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 155-164) and index.