And this new grief we bore with us to sea: our precious lives we had, but not our friends. No ship made sail the next day until some shipmate had raised a cry, three times, for each poor ghost unfleshed by the Cicones on that field.
What theme is best revealed by this conflict?
a. Sadness can destroy people.
b. One must mourn before moving on.
c. Many lives are lost too soon in battle.
d. People are haunted by lost souls.
Answer: c. Many lives are lost too soon in battle.
This passage demonstrates the description of parting with premature deaths in combat. The speaker mourns their friends’ lives that were lost when they had gone to wage war against the Cicones. The death of their friends touched them so deeply that they referred to the deceased as “poor ghosts unflushed.” These deaths were unwarranted and premature. The speaker mourns the hearts of their friends who had “dear lives” that were destroyed. They lament the fact that ships could not sail up next day until they heard some wails for every one warrior massacred. This gives light on how battle brings life of the young successful individuals shorter; it robs off their precious living time and leaves family to mourn because of unnecessary death . The passage brings forth the tragic losses due to conflicts.