Betrayal as a Motif in Literature

Paper Summary:

The author of this paper examines the theme of betrayal in classical literature. The author looks at examples of betrayal in Anne Carson's translation, "If Not, Winter: Fragments of Sappho," and Homer's epic poem, "The Odyssey". The writer also looks at examples of betrayal as told in the Old Testament.

From the Paper:

"In Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, deception is a theme that runs throughout the whole novel. Athena and Odysseus are deceitful to other characters. Athena disguised herself as Mentor to help Odysseus' son, Telemechus, on his own journey. Telemechus never knew that it was a Zeus' daughter guiding and strengthening him. But Telemechus was not the only character that was uniformed of someone's presence--the suitors and Penelope, Odysseus' wife, thought the man in the castle was a beggar. Known to the readers, this beggar is in fact King Odysseus, back to reclaim his castle. Homer's use of disguises to hide an identity represents how people are never truly themselves when betraying others. The true person is hiding under the facade that has been created, but the mask is what everyone else sees. The deceitful person has been transformed into someone new to the rest of the world. Betrayal cannot be undone--it always lingers over shoulders, and unfortunately stays with the ones that were betrayed."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Carson, Anne. If Not, Winter: Fragments of Sappho. New York: Random House, 2002.
• Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Classics, 1996.
• The New Interpreter's Study Bible. Ed. Walter J. Harrelson and Donald Senior. Nashville: Abington, 2003.

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