Timon of Athens (giving quote). by Jimbee68 posted Aug 9, 2024 at 5:15 PM I just made this now. (I cut and paste texts. There was a dash before Alcibiades which I don't think belonged there. Also there are two quotation marks, available as text: " and “ ”. I have no idea why. But the second look better.) But my friend across the street was admiring another meme for this quote which I have on my front door. I told him I'd make another one for him and the guy next door. But you know, what Shakespeare is saying about Alcibiades, is although he is an honored guest at the banquet because he is a general. People like him sacrifice so much. And generals, like the kings and emperors at Timon's party have prestige. But unlike the kings and emperor's, all his lands lie in pitched battlefields. To which Alcibiades pauses and reflects and says "Ay, defiled land, my lord". Which I recently read has a double and ironic meaning here. Because Shakespeare was referring to Ecclesiasticus 13:1, with irony, and also the double meaning of the word "pitch", in Shakespeare's time. Here Alcibiades might have been saying this with irony. Or perhaps as an warning of sorts to Timon.
BTW, does anyone know: Why does Alcibiades feel defiled or tainted, because he thinks rich people paid for his battlefields? He means he doesn't like receiving Timon's money? Or some rich guy gave him money in the past, and he is thinking of that? Or just feels uncomfortable at that party, with all of Timon's rich, conceited friends? Does anyone here know?
Just to be clear, I'm asking for a factual answer here, on literature, and how this quote is interpreted usually. When I ask a question that requires an opinion, that's different. No one has to express an opinion if they don't want, or if they don't have one.
No one has answered this question yet. Take your times. Also, is this one of the "famous" or even "well-known" Shakespeare quotes? I just found on it on the website with the entire play when I did a Ctrl + F search on "'Tis", for something unrelated. And this came up.
Anyways, as I said, Timon is spending so much on others, including his rich guests at that party. Alcibiades a general is an honored guest too. But Alcibiades feels cheapened, because rich people paid for his battlefields too. Does he mean the other rich people or Timon? Or is it a warning to Timon? Because all the other guests at his banquet are just sycophants? I will go by your knowledges of Shakespeare and this quote. But people often take a different, or even their own, interpretation of Shakespeare. So I may go with that too...
EDIT: I think Youtube might be messing with that clip. Now it won't space up that point, here: [This dialogue link doesn't work either.]
