THE SEMANTICS OF THE CONCEPTS OF FRIENDSHIP AND ENMITY IN LITERARY TEXTS (BASED ON ENGLISH AND UZBEK FOLK PROVERBS)

This study explores the semantic and conceptual representations of friendship and enmity as reflected in English and Uzbek folk proverbs and their artistic deployment in literary texts. Grounded in the frameworks of conceptual semantics and metaphor theory, the research examines how these emotionally and culturally charged concepts are constructed, moralized, and transmitted across generations. A comparative analysis of selected proverbs reveals shared universal values—such as loyalty, honesty, and caution—while also highlighting culturally specific metaphors and ethical nuances. English proverbs often emphasize individual psychology and strategic awareness, whereas Uzbek proverbs tend to foreground communal identity, spiritual restraint, and moral integrity. Through textual analysis of works by Shakespeare, Dickens, Kodiriy, and Hoshimov, the study demonstrates how literary authors embed proverbial wisdom to deepen narrative meaning and illuminate character dynamics. The findings underscore the role of proverbs not only as semantic units but also as literary tools that convey cultural memory, social values, and ethical frameworks. This research contributes to cross-cultural paremiology, cognitive linguistics, and the study of literature as a vessel for collective human understanding. Keywords: Friendship, Enmity, Proverbs, Semantics, Metaphor, English Literature, Uzbek Literature, Cognitive Linguistics, Cultural Values, Paremiology.