108 The ... head i.e. Fortune's foot, ready to kick one down the mountain/the great man tumbling head over heels 108 suitor petitioner, one with a formal request to make 110 five talents a very large sum of money; the exact value of a talent in the early seventeenth century is unclear, but seems to have been somewhere between PS150 and PS200
111 means wealth
111 strait exacting, severe
114 Periods puts an end to
114 comfort hope, encouragement
116 feather i.e. disposition, type
120 ever binds him makes him obliged to you forever 121 Commend me convey my greetings
122 enfranchised set free
127 father respectful form of address to an old man 133 creature dependant
135 first i.e. early life
135 thrift economy/profit-making
136 more raised i.e. of higher status
137 one ... trencher i.e. a domestic servant 137 trencher wooden plate
141 o'th'youngest ... bride i.e. just old enough to marry 142 bred brought up
143 qualities accomplishments
144 Attempts tries to obtain
145 her resort to visit her
147 honest honorable, worthy
148 Therefore ... be i.e. he will continue to be so if he does not pursue her 150 bear carry off as a prize
152 apt impressionable/sexually inclined
153 precedent earlier, youthful
154 levity frivolity/licentiousness, immorality
160 all completely/of everything
161 How ... endowed what will her dowry be
164 gentleman a man of good birth attending a man of high rank 166 bond obligation
167 counterpoise match, counterbalance
168 with i.e. as much as
170 Pawn ... honour if you will pledge your honor to do this 173 state wealth
175 Vouchsafe deign to accept
176 anon soon
181 the natural man man as he really is
182 traffics has dealings
183 He ... outside i.e. human nature is defined by mere (unreliable) outward appearance 183 pencilled painted
184 Even ... out exactly what they appear to be
185 shall ... it i.e. will be rewarded for it 189 must needs must
190 Hath ... praise i.e. cannot hope to financially match the praise it has received (the Jeweller thinks that Timon means that the jewel has been "underpraised") 192 A mere satiety an absolute excess
193 extolled praised
194 unclew unwind, undo, ruin
195 rated valued
196 those ... give i.e. at the price the seller would pay 197 like the same
198 prized ... masters differently valued by different owners/valued according to the respect men have for the owner 199 mend improve, add value to
200 mocked acted
201 common tongue general opinion
203 Will ... chid? Do you want to be scolded?
206 morrow morning
207 gentle noble/courteous
207 stay wait
208 When and that impossibility will only occur when 214 name i.e. knave
215 proud arrogant, presumptuous (Apemantus shifts the sense to "honored, glad") 220 doing nothing i.e. because there are no honest Athenians 222 innocence inability of the painted character to do harm/foolishness 223 Wrought worked
224 He i.e. God
226 dog plays on the fact that "cynic" is derived from the Greek for "dog"
227 generation species (implying that the Painter's mother is a "bitch," i.e. female dog/lewd woman) 230 eat not lords do not consume the wealth (or flesh) of lords 231 An if
232 eat have sex with
232 come by acquire (perhaps with orgasmic connotations) 232 great bellies i.e. through overeating/in pregnancy 233 apprehension interpretation/sexual grasping
234 So ... labour if you understand it in that way, keep it as a reward for your efforts (labour plays on the sense of "pains of childbirth") 236 Not ... doit "plain-dealing is a jewel, but they that use it die beggars" (proverbial) 236 plain-dealing honest behavior/forthright lechery 237 doit coin of little value
239 How now greeting which implies inquiry about well-being 245 poet ... liest the idea of the creative artist as a liar was conventional 248 him i.e. Timon
250 worthy of plays on the idea of "of financial value to"
254 E'en even, i.e. exactly
258 Wherefore? Why?
259 no angry wit not enough anger in my wit
262 Traffic trade, business
262 confound ruin
265 What whose
266 horse horsemen
267 of companionship one party, together
268 entertain welcome
268 give them guide show them
271 of your sights to see you
273 So, so, there! a comment on the greetings that are under way ("Well, look at that"), exclamation of observation/commentary on the greetings 274 contract and starve shrink and wither
275 small hardly any
275 sweet smooth, falsely pleasant
276 strain race
276 bred out degenerated
278 saved my longing i.e. satisfied my desire to see you 279 hungerly hungrily
279 your sight the sight of you
281 Ere before
281 depart part
281 bounteous abundant
282 different various
282 in go in
285 That ... still it is always that time
286 omitt'st neglect
288 meat food
297 unpeaceable quarrelsome
297 spurn kick
298 fly flee, run away from
298 o'th'ass of the donkey/idiot
299 opposite to antagonistic toward/the reverse of
300 outgoes exceeds
302 Plutus the wealthy Greek god of the underworld
303 steward servant in charge of all domestic affairs 303 meed gift
306 All ... quittance repayment with interest
Act 1 Scene 2
1.2 Location: the banqueting room in Timon's house
1.2 Hautboys oboe-like instruments 1.2 States senators
1.2 dropping moodily, unenthusiastically/casually 3 long peace i.e. death
6 free generous
7 service respect, homage
11 ever always
12 he ... receives biblical: "if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye?" (Luke 6:34), "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35) 13 that game i.e. appearing freely generous yet permitting repayment 14 faults ... fair "rich men have no faults" (proverbial) 17 Ceremony respectful courtesy, formal conduct
18 set ... on give a fair appearance to, smooth over
18 faint half-hearted/trivial
18 hollow insincere
19 Recanting goodness goodness that will be withdrawn 19 ere before
20 none i.e. no ceremony
23 confessed acknowledged, granted (Apemantus shifts the sense to "heard the confession of a criminal") 24 Hanged "confess and be hanged" (proverbial)
28 Fie exclamation of disgust or reproach
28 churl peasant/villain (i.e. ungracious, contemptible) 28 humour mood, temperament (the four humors were bodily fluids thought to govern health and disposition) 29 become befit, suit
30 Ira ... est "Anger is a brief madness" (Latin) 31 yond yonder, that
33 affect like/seek out
35 apperil peril, risk
36 observe scrutinize people and make comments on them 36 on't of it
37 heed notice
38 would wish to
38 power i.e. to silence you
38 meat ... silent i.e. as you eat
40 'twould ... thee i.e. the food is a benefit to be enjoyed by Timon's flatterers; not being one, Apemantus would choke on it 41 eats i.e. prey upon, consume the wealth of
42 dip ... blood may allude to the Last Supper of Christ and his disciples: "he that dippeth his hand wi
th me in the dish, he shall betray me" (Matthew 26:23) 43 all ... up the maddest thing of all is that he encourages them 46 without knives in Shakespeare's day guests brought their own knives to dinner 47 Good ... meat i.e. because less would be eaten 48 example precedent, previous evidence
49 pledges ... him i.e. drinks a toast to his life 50 divided draught shared cup (divided may also suggest deception) 51 huge powerful, high-ranking
52 spy ... notes i.e. see his windpipe dangerously exposed as his head tilts back 52 notes distinctive signs (plays on the sense of "musical notes," with the windpipe as an instrument) 53 harness armor
54 in heart heartily, in friendship
54 health toast/shared cup
56 brave fine
56 keeps ... well i.e. does not miss an opportunity 56 tides time/movement of the sea
57 Those ... ill "to drink health is to drink sickness" (proverbial) 57 health toast/physical healthiness
57 state estate, wealth/physical condition
59 sinner i.e. cause of sin
60 i'th'mire stuck in the mud, i.e. in trouble 61 odds difference
62 proud lavish/arrogant
62 grace prayer said before a meal
63 pelf wealth/spoils, booty
65 fond foolish
67 harlot prostitute
69 keeper jailer
71 fall to't start eating
72 root i.e. vegetables
73 dich do it
74 field battlefield
76 breakfast of enemies i.e. cutting enemies up on the battlefield 78 So provided that
78 new freshly
81 bid ... 'em invite me to eat them
83 use our hearts make use of the affection that we have for you 84 zeals loyalties, devotion
85 perfect satisfied, complete
88 else otherwise
88 charitable loving
89 from from among, out of
90 told ... you described you more expansively/estimated you more highly 91 confirm corroborate, approve
93 needless pointless, not needed
98 do benefits give gifts/help
98 properer more fittingly/more our own
99 riches ... friends wealth of friendship/wealth belonging to our friends 100 commanding having at one's disposal
101 made ... born destroyed before birth, i.e. expressed in tears, which seem sorrowful 102 faults errors; plays on the sense of "cracks (to let in water)"
104 Thou ... drink Apemantus wryly implies that Timon's weakness enables his flatterers to take advantage of him 105 like same
106 sprung up welled up, like a spring/grew
107 a bastard illegitimate, i.e. insincere
109 Much! exclamation of disbelief or sarcasm
109.1 tucket trumpet call
110 trump trumpet
111 Please if it please
111 most ... admittance who wish to enter; may possibly play on sense of "who are desirous to be received sexually"; wills sexual desires, office duty/sexual role, pleasures also resonate sexually 114 forerunner herald
115 which ... pleasures whose job it is to announce their wishes 116 Cupid Roman god of love, usually depicted as a winged, blindfolded boy 116 masque courtly entertainment involving dancing and elaborate costumes 120 gratulate greet
120 plenteous bosom generous heart
121 There refers to Timon's generosity (plenteous bosom), and the banqueting table it has provided 121 all i.e. and the other three senses
122 only ... but come solely
123 kind friendly/gracious
125 ample amply
125 Amazons legendary race of female warriors 126 Hoyday exclamation of surprise
126 sweep magnificent dancing motion
128 Like similar, comparable
128 glory vainglory, empty pride
129 As ... root as can be seen by comparing this splendor (of banquet and masque) with a simple diet 129 pomp ceremony, splendor
130 disport amuse
131 spend express/use up/waste
131 drink toast/swallow, consume
132 Upon whose age old age/decline in fortune
132 void vomit
133 envy malice
134 depraved defamed, slandered/morally corrupt
135 spurn insult, rejection
136 Of ... gift (that has been) given by their friends 139 adoring of revering of, expressing respect toward 139 lofty strain elevated, grand tune
140 done ... grace added charm to our enjoyments, honored our revels 141 Set ... on i.e. lent elegance to
142 kind gracious
144 mine own device a masque commissioned and invented by me/a masque designed for me 146 take ... best evaluate us as highly as it is possible (Apemantus plays on the sexual sense of "take," i.e. "have sex with") 147 for because
147 worst plays on the sense of "worst part," i.e. vagina 147 filthy disgusting/infected with venereal disease 147 hold taking stand up to evaluation/withstand sex (because it is diseased) 148 doubt me fear, suspect
149 idle light, trifling
149 banquet light meal, or fruit and sweetmeats served after the main meal 149 attends awaits
150 dispose yourselves take your places
156 crossing opposing, thwarting
156 humour mood
157 well plainly, bluntly
158 crossed have his debts crossed out/paid
158 an if only
159 had ... behind i.e. was not wary
160 for his mind as a result of his (generous) disposition 167 advance enhance in value (by wearing)
169 so ... gifts already so obliged to you for other gifts 173 fairly kindly/courteously, graciously
175 Vouchsafe permit
175 near closely, seriously
177 provided prepared
180 free generous, open
181 trapped harnessed
183 worthily entertained received in a manner appropriate to their worth 187 brace pairs
189 fair courteous/generous/just
192 coffer money chest
193 know his purse i.e. pay attention to his finances 193 yield me this allow me, give me the opportunity 195 make ... good put his wishes into effect
196 state estate, wealth
199 put ... books mortgaged to them
200 would I wish
203 Than ... exceed than to feed such friends as are worse than enemies 206 bate diminish
210 gave good words praised
211 bay courser reddish-brown horse
213 in that for liking it, and thus implying that I wanted it 215 affect desire, like
216 weigh ... own consider my friend's desires to be the same as my own 217 call to visit
219 several visitations your collective and individual visits 221 deal give
224 living income/existence
226 pitched field battlefield with armies drawn up for action 227 defiled plays on pitched as "covered with pitch (a black tar-like substance)"; "file" picks up on the sense of "troop formation"
228 virtuously bound powerfully bound/bound by your virtue 230 endeared indebted/bound by affection/increased in value 231 All to you i.e. the obligation is all mine 234 Ready for at the service of
235 coil confusion, fuss
236 serving delivering
236 becks bows
237 legs limbs/bows
238 dregs impurities, corruption
239 false insincere, dishonest
243 I'll I'll have
244 rail upon abuse, rant at, insult
245 fear me fear
246 paper i.e. promissory notes, written securities 247 vainglories showy events
248 an ... once if you begin to abuse good company
249 come ... music i.e. change your tune, speak more positively 251 So so be it
252 thou ... then you will not have the opportunity later 253 heaven salvation (achieved by listening to good advice) 255 counsel advice
Act 2 Scene 1
2.1 Location: a senator's house, Athens
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1 late recently
3 motion ... waste in the process of reckless extravagance 4 hold last, be sustained
9 foals brings forth more horses (gifts from Timon)
9 straight immediately/strong
10 porter i.e. gatekeeper who keeps out visitors 11 still always
13 sound ... safety probe his finances and find them to be secure/declare his financial situation to be secure 13 ho! exclamation to attract attention
17 importune urge, ask persistently
17 ceased stopped
18 slight dismissive, casual
18 when ... hand i.e. with courteous words and gestures 21 uses needs (perhaps with a suggestion of "financial interest owed") 21 serve my turn provide for myself/meet the financial claims on me 22 own own money
22 days and times i.e. the deadlines for payment 23 fracted broken
24 smit impacted on, damaged
26 relief i.e. request for repayment
27 tossed and turned hit back (a tennis metaphor)
28 supply financial provision
29 importunate persistent, urgent
29 aspect facial expression
31 feather ... wing i.e. when every creditor is paid what they are due/when everything is back in its rightful place 32 gull unfledged bird/dupe, fool
33 flashes shines brightly/temporarily displays
33 phoenix mythical Arabian bird that was consumed by fire every five hundred years, then resurrected from the ashes; only one existed at a time 36 have ... in i.e. make sure the (missed) repayment dates are included Act 2 Scene 2
2.2 Location: outside Timon's house, Athens
2 know learn, be told
2 maintain afford, stand the cost
3 riot reveling, extravagance
4 resume assumes
5 what ... continue how the future will be provided for/what the consequences will be 5 Never ... kind never was there a mind so unwise in order to be so kind 7 till feel i.e. until he experiences the consequences 8 round plain-spoken, severe
14 discharged paid
15 fear it doubt that that will happen
16 train retinue
17 forth go out (hunting)
19 dues debts
20 Whence are you? Where are you from?
24 To ... month i.e. from day to day for a month 25 awaked ... occasion prompted by urgent circumstances 26 call ... own call in what is owed to him
27 with ... suit you will act in accordance with your other noble qualities 30 repair return
36 wants needs/shortages
37 forfeiture penalty of forfeiting the security for the loan (e.g. land and property) 41 breath breathing space
42 keep on go on ahead
43 wait upon follow
45 How goes what is going on in
45 encountered confronted/assaulted
46 demands legal claims
47 detention withholding
48 Against my honour contrary to my reputation, damaging my honor 50 unagreeable to unsuitable for
55 draw near i.e. follow me
55 Fool professional jester
60 dost do, i.e. are you
61 Dost ... shadow? Are you talking to yourself?
61 dialogue with speak to
61 shadow mirror image