At the beginning of Timon of Athens, Timon seems to live in
a very altruistic fantasy world, one where there are no consequences to “taking
care” of his friends. This provides a striking contrast to the misanthrope he
becomes, having lost faith in the world after being tricked by the people he
thought he could trust. Apemantus tells Timon, "the middle of humanity
thou never knewest, but the extremity of both ends" (IV.iii.300).
I thought of this contrast in particular while reading
Midsummer, which also has distinct realms of fantasy and reality. Though it may
seem this play is the most apparently odd, I find Timon’s actions in his own
fantasy realm just as bizarre at times.
Timon’s friends coveting of his wealth is not unlike Oberon’s
coveting of Titania’s changeling boy. Just like Titania refuses, so do Timon’s
friends when he asks for their assistance in his own time of need. Both of
these events lead to the rising action in each of the plays, and link the realm
of fantasy to a more realistic one.
The difference is between each of these stories, however, is
in the ending. Although the fantasy and magic in Midsummer ultimately assists
in a happy ending and corrects all its former mistakes, Timon’s fantasy is his
downfall.
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