Samwise Gamgee and Frodo Baggins from “Lord of the Rings.” Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call from “Lonesome Dove.” Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin from “Master and Commander.” These are just three examples of strong male friendships in 20th-century fiction.
The classic template for this sort of friendship is the ancient Greek tale of best friends Damon and Pythias. Sentenced to death for plotting against the cruel tyrant Dionysius, Pythias asks permission to visit his mother and sister and settle his affairs before his execution. He promises to return and face his death. The king refuses, but then Damon steps up and offers himself as a hostage for his friend’s return. The king grants this request, cynically certain that Damon will die, and Pythias departs. Yet he does return just in the nick of time, and Dionysius is so touched by the devotion of both young men that he sets them free.
