ABSTRACT

Timon of Athens opinions, but a railer against society. Undoubtedly Apemantus represents the cynic philosophy, not as Montaigne saw it but as it was generally viewed (with disgust) in Elizabethan England. Hence the mocking allusions to dogs in connection with him. He is a Thersites, a railer on society, himself a dog who snarls at mankind (II.2). Some vestige of humane feeling he possesses, for he warns Timon, and in IV.3.283 offers him better food than roots. This scene in which the two pessimists revile each other's way of life shows the weakness of both their positions. Montaigne pointed out that men's opinions were often the result of their fortunes. Apemantus tells Timon (IV.3.20319) that his nature has changed through