"Damon" ... Charecter Sketch

Damon was a young man who lived on the island of Sicily. He was a Pythagorean belonging to Syracuse, Sicily, celebrated for his friendship to Pythias, a member of the same sect. He was known far and wide for his friendship and their names have come down to our times to mean true friendship.

Damon was a friend. He shared a fast bond of friendship with Pythias. He felt heartbroken when he heard of the order of condemnation to death of Pythias. He felt terrible and rushed to meet his friend. He even talked his way through the guard to reach him. He promised to take care of Pythias’s family as if they were his own. He also helped his friend in need, thus passing the test of friendship. He begged the king to set at liberty his friend for a short time so that he might arrange his affairs. Damon placed himself in harm’s way for the sake of a friend which is a very fine thing to do. He stood by his friend throw the highs and the lows.

Damon knew the importance of friendship and bravery. He was a true-hearted man and proved the truth of the saying:

“A friend in need is a friend indeed.”

He was prepared to embrace death for his friend.

Damon was an altruist. He was sincere to his friend and ready to die gladly in his place. On the day of execution when he was mocked at by everyone, he stood calm and firm with a strong belief in his friendship. He did not repent his decision nor did he doubt the fidelity of his friendship. He was an optimist and was sure that the delay of Pythias was due to some genuine reason. His character proves the truth of the saying:

“The force of love is at once more wonderful and terrible than death, than human emotions and then the forces of nature.” (J.K.Rowling)

Pythias was a man of refined manners and good breeding. He was prudent, just and equitable, prepared to embrace death for the honour of friendship. He had an exemplary character of an honest friend. As William Butler Yeats says:

“Think where man’s glory most begins and ends,

And say my glory was I had such friends.”