『아테네의 타이먼』에 나타난 주변인물들의 역할 = The Role of Minor Characters in Timon of Athens

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The basic point to grasp about the main characters in a play is that they embody the division between simple ideas and passions that disturb an ideal of a harmonious society. All the central characters are pulled in two ways: They are attracted by an idea of reasonable behaviour. However, they often find themselves acting disorderly and irrationally. Therefore there is constant tension between order and disorder in the play. In this pattern, the minor characters play an important dramatic function. They often serve to draw attention to the gap between an orderly world and an disorderly world, in the play.
Timon, a rich and noble Athenian of gracious nature, having ruined himself by his prodigal liberality to friends and flatters, turns to his rich friends for assistance in his difficulties, and is denied it and deserted by all who had previously frequented him. But his servants and steward still love Timon. The faithful Flavius follows his master, as Kent followed Lear. Flavius is not a complex human being, but is an emblematic figure who embodies loyalty. He has a confident nature and is clearly aligned on the side of virtue. Apemantus warned Timon about his excessive indulgence just as Flavius warned him about his false friends. His insults and remarks offer a strong critique of both the gullible Timon and the false Athenians. The minor characters including Flavius are very important to this play, for they contrast with Timon’s false friends, and emphasize humanity which is one of this play’s main themes. Even though humanity has been destroyed, Shakespeare emphasizes humanity, the ultimate human quality, through the sympathetic minor characters in Timon of Athens.