Essentially in this play, Timon finds out what it means to be a friend because his friends loved him and lavished attention on him in prosperity but abandoned him in poverty. The first part of the play dramatizes this process; in the second part, Timon finds gold and suddenly becomes attractive again to his old friends.

A group of artisans and merchants wait in Timon's hall, hoping for the patronage of the great man.

When Timon appears, he's mobbed. His friend Ventidius wants money to get out of debtor's prison.

Timon gives it to his servant and gives money to two who want to marry as well.

The only sour note to all this niceness is Apemantus, a churlish philosopher.

A great feast is prepared at Timon's house. Timon presides, giving thanks for his good friends. Apemantus is not amused...

But Flavius, the steward, bringing a casket of jewels to be given as favours, tells us that Timon's estate is mortgaged to the hilt.

Word gets around that Timon's estate is failing and the creditors want their money and begin to hound Timon.

At last Timon realizes he is almost bankrupt and sends his servants to ask his friends for money.

Not one of his so-called friends will give him a penny and servants of Timon's creditors lay siege to his house, but they're embarrassed because they know how much Timon has given to their masters.

Timon's temper snaps. He invites all of his so-called friends and creditors to a great feast. They attend Timon's banquet and Timon uncovers dishes which hold only water and throws it at them.

Timon leaves Athens, cursing the city and everyone in it. Flavius discharges Timon's servants, who agree Timon was badly used and goes after Timon who is living in a cave and finds gold and word of his new found fortune is spread and robbers come for his wealth.

The robbers are surprised when Timon gives it over to them because he doesn't want it.

Faithful Flavius finds Timon, who is touched by his devotion.

The poet and painter from Act I have heard about the gold.

They arrive to sell Timon art, but he drives them away.

The Senate petitions Timon to lead their army against Alcibiades but Timon says he'll never leave the woods, let alone defend Athens.

Alcibiades sends a messenger to find Timon, but all the man finds is a stone.

Illiterate, he makes a wax impression of the stone's inscription.

Alcibiades and his army reach Athens saying he'll only punish his and Timon's enemies.

The messenger arrives with the wax impression: it's Timon's epitaph and it moves Alcibiades to not destroy Athens.