SHAKSPER 1999: TIMON OF ATHENS

From: Hardy M. Cook (editor@ws.bowiestate.edu)
Date: 07/29/99 

The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 10.1341  Thursday, 29 July 1999.

From:           Billy Houck <BHouck123@aol.com>
Date:           Wednesday, 28 Jul 1999 19:58:56 EDT
Subject:        TIMON OF ATHENS

I have a quick question for anyone out there who has read Timon of
Athens recently. I am directing a production of Timon that's opening at
Arroyo Grande High School this weekend, so please excuse my haste.  I'm
writing up a plot summary for the program, and decided to download a
summary then edit it to save time.

I have found something that is either a glaring error, or I have been
misreading a scene for the last two months.

The plot summary I found says that in act 3, scene 5:

"At the Senate house, the senators decide Timon should die for his
debts. The captain  Alcibiades valiantly plead's for Timon's life, but
is ignored by the senators. Eventually, they tire of his pleadings and
banish him from Athens, effective two days hence. Alcibiades decides
privately to muster his armies and attack Athens."

The way I read it, Alcibiades is defending a fellow soldier for
committing murder.

What say you all?

Also, In researching Timon, I have found it called a comedy, a satire, a
satirical comedy, a tragedy, a history play, a drama, and a play
"obviously" not written by Shakespeare. Sounds like hot ice and strange
snow to me.

Any thoughts on this?

Anybody on the west coast (of America) interested in seeing Timon of
Athens performed by a cast of 13-18 year olds, give me a call. List
members get in free!

Billy Houck
Eagle Theatre
Arroyo Grande, California
(805)473-4250
http://i.am/eagletheatre

(the address of the plot summary is:
http://www.unc.edu/~monroem/shakespeare/timon.html)

serves me right for trying to cut corners.


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