Timon of Athens

"Timon of Athens" was first published in the "First Folio" in 1623 and was likely written by William Shakespeare in 1605 or 1606. Often regarded as one of the more difficult of Shakespeare's plays to categorize, "Timon of Athens" blends elements of comedy with components of tragedy in Timon's allegorical downfall and death. The play depicts an Athenian man, Timon, who is popular and wealthy and who selflessly gives away his possessions to a large number of false friends. He extends help to everyone, from a friend in a debtor's prison to a servant who needs money so he can marry his chosen bride. Timon has given away all of his wealth and possessions and soon finds himself in need, yet all of his friends turn their backs on him. Timon feels deeply betrayed and becomes savagely bitter, living the rest of his life in seclusion outside of the city. Considered one of Shakespeare's more challenging works, it is now largely believed to be due to Thomas Middleton's likely collaboration in writing the play. "Timon of Athens" remains compelling to this day in its intense and unrelenting condemnation of greed and corruption in society. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper, includes annotations by Henry N. Hudson, and an introduction by Charles Harold Herford.

Carl D. Atkins has studied Shakespeare for decades. In addition to his variorum edition of The Sonnets (only the fourth variorum edition since The Sonnets were printed in 1609) he has published two articles on The Sonnets and one on Measure for Measure, all in the respected journal, Studies in Philology.
Dr. Atkins has made a complete metrical analysis of all 154 poems, which serves as an excellent companion to Shakespeare's Sonnets Among His Private Friends. It is available gratis at: www.amonghisprivatefriends.com.
Dr. Atkins is a physician. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He lives with his wife in New York.
Review of Shakespeare's Sonnets: With Three Hundred Years of Commentary: "...Atkins also offers an insightful running commentary on the metrical features of the individual poems, making this edition stand out even further from all other recent editions. Including a fine bibliography, a general index, and three appendixes, this lucid, well-researched edition is the product of many years of labor and love; it will be an indispensable work for those interested in Shakespeare's sonnets." Choice, May 2008