Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:38 — 49.2MB)
Continuing from part one, instead of Jonathan, now actor Sarah Manton (from our performance) joins us, plus Seth is back.
We start out by re-litigating what Timon’s problem is at the beginning of the play, which sets up his fall. Then we move to explicitly considering the Cynic school the historical figure of Diogenes. Is Timon really a Cynic?
For a nice, concise overview of Cynicism, try the History of Philosophy podcast. Some of us also looked at the book Diogenes the Cynic: Sayings and Anecdotes (here’s an online version).
We then discuss the underdeveloped B-plot about the general Alcibiades and the multiple epitaphs for Timon, as well as other issues regarding the numerous minor characters.
Finally, we consider the potential feminist angle on the play, per Jonathan’s claim that this is a picture of a world without women. This is elaborated (says Wes) in an essay we did not read called “Timon of Athens: The Rage of Disillusion” by Susan Handelman.
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