Gul Mohar English Class 7 Poem - Friends and Flatterers

Gul Mohar Edition 9 Orient Blackswan

Gul Mohar English Poem - Friends and Flatterers

Writer of the poem - William Shakespeare
Summary
The poem ‘Friends and Flatterers’ is written by William Shakespeare, who is considered the greatest playwright of all time.

The speaker warns the reader not to fall prey to flatterers and one should know one’s worth to avoid becoming a victim of flattery.

Flatterers according to the poet, praise without sincerity in their appreciation. So the poet compares their words like the wind that blows (without much effort) towards us when we are doing well. He further says that it is difficult to find faithful friends who will see us through sad as well as happy times.

Flatterers would surround us when we possess money and power and desert us when we are devoid of resources. If we squander our wealth on them, they flatter us by elevating as generous and worthy of being a king. But if we fall upon hard times they no longer remain with us.

True friends, poet says are those who are with you even during bad times.

They stand by you and empathize when you are in grief. They share your sorrows and help bear your burdens. One should cherish the friendship of such people.