Task 3

The power of a true friendship can be revealed in several ways. In a true friendship, one must be willing to sacrifice their life for another, and both should be willing to provide joy and hope to a world that promises so much but only has a little to offer. In a myth retold by William Russell and a poem taken from The Book of Friendship by Mathew Arnold, the theme is expressed by the use of plot and conflict.

In the myth retold by William Russell, plot is expressed. In this myth, the narrator shows that in a true friendship, one should be willing to give up one’s life for another. The myth tells of three characters, Damon, Pythais, and Dionysius. Everyone in Syracuse views Damon and Pythais as a model of a true friendship since they are loyal, noble, and devoted to each other. These friends are so loyal to each other that one day when Pythais is held captive by Dionysius; Damon agrees to take Pythais’s place in captivity while he runs some errands. Dionysius says if Pythais is not back at a certain time, Damon will be executed in his place. Dionysius says that Damon has made a foolish mistake because he knows that Pythais would not be back. When Pythais returns, Dionysius is impressed of how loyal these friends are. He lets them both go and asked to be their friend. This shows how the power of friendship can greatly affect others.

In the poem taken from The Book of Friendship by Mathew Arnold, conflict is expressed. In this poem the speaker shows that the world promises so much but offers only a little. The speaker shows that that the world has no love, joy, peace, certitude, light, or help for pain, and a friend must provide all of that. The speaker says people are ignorant because they are at war and have not yet learned to live at peace wit each other. This poem shows that the power of true friendship is so strong that it can provide joy and so much to a world that offers so little.