Timon is a generous wealthy man in Athens who enjoys sharing his wealth with his friends without expecting anything in return. In the first scene of the play a poet, a painter and a jeweler arrive to his house, hoping to sell their goods and services, knowing of his generous nature. He buys from them and then negotiates to pay for the release of a friend who is in jail because of his debts, Ventidius. In the second scene of ACT I, Timon throws a feast in his house and invites all his friends. Among them there is Apemantus, a friend of Timon's who always criticizes everybody including Timon. Apemantus always tells Timon that he is too generous and that everybody is just using him. In this scene Apemantus, after making a few nasty comments, is sent by Timon to a table by himself.

In this monologue Apemantus mocks Timon for being a fool and trusting everybody. He scorns his food and all the lords that are eating with him. Then he says his own grace, vowing not to trust anybody and praying for himself.