Is 'Timon of Athens' Shakespeare's Worst Play?

The question of which is the worst Shakespeare play has long intrigued scholars and theatre enthusiasts. While opinions vary, one candidate that often stands out is Timon of Athens. Contrary to many of Shakespeare's other works, which were composed during his most prolific period, this play is perplexing in its dramatic structure and has a story that 'falls apart' quite dramatically. We delve into why this play stands as a contender for Shakespeare's weakest offering, despite being written around the same time as some of his most celebrated tragedies.

The Contentious Candidate: Timon of Athens

One of the most criticized works is Timon of Athens. The play, often seen as one of Shakespeare's less successful endeavors, is a tragedy that hinges on themes of betrayal, excess, and ultimately despair. It was written during a time when Shakespeare was producing some of his most renowned plays: Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, and Macbeth.

Overview of the Play

Timon of Athens tells the story of a wealthy man named Timon who entertains his friends extravagantly. The plot thins, however, when Timon's resources dwindle and his greedy friends abandon him. Timon, enraged, hides in a cave to curse the world and await his death. The lack of dramatic progression and the static nature of the latter half of the play are often cited as major criticisms.

The Question of Box Office Success

Why would Shakespeare, known for his commercial acumen, craft a play that seems to lose its narrative steam? The answer likely lies in the theatrical environment of the time. At the beginning of the 17th century, popular dramatists like Ben Jonson were producing works that were both commercially successful and critically acclaimed. Jonson's plays, such as Volpone and The Alchemist, were notable for their satirical and comic themes that resonated with audiences.

It is proposed that Timon of Athens may have been Shakespeare's attempt to step away from the deeply emotional and tragic tone of his own masterpieces and experiment with a tragi-comic style. Was this a risk he took to cater to his audience's tastes?

The Role of Ben Jonson and Audience Expectations

Ben Jonson was a contemporary and colleague of Shakespeare. Jonson's popular plays, such as Volpone (1605/6) and The Alchemist (1610/11), were known for their darkly humorous elements. These works focused on greed and avarice, traits that were manifest in Timon of Athens. Could it be that Shakespeare, after crafting some of his darkest tragedies, looked to explore a different theatrical space?

One could argue that audiences who had been emotionally drained by King Lear might have preferred something lighter. However, if Timon of Athens was a step in this direction, it did not resonate commercially. This observation raises questions about the connection between commercial success, critical acclaim, and audience preferences in Shakespeare's time.

Conclusion and Further Exploration

In conclusion, while Timon of Athens may not be Shakespeare's finest work, it offers valuable insights into the playwright's versatility. The dramatic challenges it presents are intriguing and prompt us to consider the broader themes of theatre, audience expectations, and the commercial dynamics of Elizabethan and Jacobean England.

Further research and discussions on Shakespeare's complete works continue to shed new light on why some plays are admired while others are often criticized. The question of what constitutes a 'worse' Shakespeare play remains a subject of debate, and Timon of Athens undoubtedly takes a central position in such discussions.