Will give brainliest. how does the author create surprise in "damon and pythias"? the author sets up the expectation that pythias will take damon's place when he returns, but both men are willing to die for each other. the author sets up the expectation that pythias will not return for the execution at the time and day he agreed to, and he does not. the cruel tyrant, dionysius, is amazed by damon's willingness to take pythias's place. pythias arrives just before the execution, claiming his horse was killed.