Abstract 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."
Abstract The paper discusses how in "Medea", Jason betrays Medea's devotion for another woman and in "The Metamorphosis", Grete betrays Gregor's sibling love by rejecting him. The paper notes another parallel in that both betrayals may be justified for the same reason; both are committed for the family. The paper explains why these betrayals, shattering as they may be to the main characters, are essential for each family's future good.
From the Paper "Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn." -William Shakespeare. Truer words were never written than those above of Shakespeare's, who must have pictured the principal character of Euripides's eponymous tragedy, Medea, in his mind. Enraged by her husband's infidelity, Medea seeks atrocious revenge on him, his new bride, and the king of Corinth. On the other hand, Franz Kafka's novella The Metamorphosis revolves around Gregor Samsa, who awakes one morning transformed as a beetle. Different as these two works may seem, they are, however, linked by the betrayal of the main character by a family member of theirs whom they most love. These betrayals are doubtless viewed as despicable and selfish if one respects everything the principal characters have done for them; however, they may be justified, and even viewed as noble, if one considers appropriately the circumstances, reasons, and logical benefits that prompted them in the first place."
Abstract This paper explains how the theme of betrayal is played out through the character of Edmund and the way he betrays his friends at a key juncture in the novel. The theme is developed by Lewis in terms of his conception of Christianity so that the act of betrayal requires an act of atonement, often by someone other than the offender, as is the case in this novel.
From the Paper "The story tells of four children, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, who find themselves in a different world after passing through a doorway found in a wardrobe. The world they escape is the world of World War II, while the world in which they then find themselves is a fantasy world where animals speak. The transition is abrupt, and for Edmund the transition creates an opportunity to serve himself while betraying the others. Edmund does not fully comprehend the enormity of what he does before doing it, and it is evident that he is seduced into his betrayal by the creature comforts he is given by the Queen of Narnia. When she offers him something to eat, he asks for Turkish Delight. the food she gives him satisfies him but is more than simple Turkish Delight, and she asks if he wants more..."
Abstract Various incidents of betrayal plague Shakespeare's entire work of "Hamlet", and these acts of betrayal are the major cause of the character, Hamlet?s, decline. The paper shows how betrayal comes to Hamlet in different forms and, while in some cases it is open and obvious, in other occasions it is quite subtle in nature. The paper covers these instances separately to show how damaging they were to Hamlet's psychological and emotional health.
From the Paper "Some critics argue that Hamlet's friends were simply following orders and therefore should not be accused of betraying Hamlet. But if we carefully study the consequences of their actions, we will be able to see how their obedience and loyalty to the king constituted open betrayal of their friend's trust. Being childhood friends, they were supposed to help Hamlet in his times of pain and distress. Instead of declaring him mad, they should have listened to his problems, which they never did. They came back with the news of his lunacy and further assisted Claudius with his plans."
Abstract This paper examines how Hamlet is betrayed by a number of people and how, as he is betrayed, he reacts in various manners throughout the play. It discusses how through Hamlet's reactions to the betrayals, Shakespeare lays out a process of grieving, hurt, rage, manipulation, self-admonition.
From the Paper "Did Gertrude have a secret affair while Old Hamlet was still alive?
Claudius may not have killed his brother, if not knowing that Gertrude would marry him. Other reasons that do point out that Gertrude was unfaithful to Old Hamlet was because of her glowing happiness, so shortly after the death of Old Hamlet, and the short period of supposed mourning that is nonexistent not only on Gertrude's part but on everyone's part, and how quickly she married Claudius. Hamlet realizes these all this and it crushes him and so this adds to the grief that he is feeling."
Abstract This paper discusses the betrayal and hypocrisy found in Victorian society as found in Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the d'Urbervilles." The paper studies the betrayal of Tess by four of the novel's main characters, these characters being Mr. and Mrs. Durbeyfield, Tess' parents, Alec d'Urberville and Angel Clare. The paper describes how Angel's betrayal of Tess is seen as the worst, as it is unexpected and leaves the novel and Victorian society without a hero and the victim without a savior.
From the Paper "All's Wrong with the World": Betrayal in Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles In his brilliant, and only, novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde laments the moral, or immoral, actions of the Victorian Age in which he is living. Principally, he shows the eponymous character following all forms of vice while betraying and deceiving those around him, in order to show that sometimes such an age of moral high-ground is not so moral, after all. In one such moment, Dorian has betrayed the young and infatuated Sybil Vane, and is reminiscing on this betrayal that will eventually lead to her death when.."
This paper looks at two characters from William Shakespeare's "King Lear" who, according to the writer, react very differently when betrayed by those closest to them.
Abstract The writer discusses the characters of Lear and Gloucester. These two characters are faced with the same basic problem: their close acquaintances are betraying them. According to the writer, Lear reacts by exiling or cutting off anyone that he suspects of betrayal, while Gloucester gives his trust to those he thinks remain loyal.
From the Paper "He begins by exiling Kent, a member of his counsel. Next he cuts off Cordelia, his youngest daughter, for going against his wishes. Finally, he offends the King of France. This not only sets him up for disaster later, but also provokes serious responses from the aggrieved parties. Lear has responded quickly and decisively to betrayal, but he has not necessarily helped himself with his actions."
Abstract The paper summarizes the book "Destiny Betrayed: J.F.K, Cuba, and the Garrison Case" by James DiEugenio, an examination of a New Orleans District Attorney's investigation of the murder of John F. Kennedy when he was president of the United States and his assassination. The writer summarizes the main points of the book and then discusses some of the plot's ideas and underlying meanings.
From the Paper "The book draws on the very real scarring that the American psyche has retained following the assassination of the president. It has been several decades but the nation still winces with pain regarding the cold and tragic event that started out as a wonderful celebration and parade. Those who believe the conspiracy theory rushed the Warren Commission report to the public eye in an attempt to sooth the fear, anger and pain felt. Those who believed the conspiracy theory held on in the hope there would be more arrests and many convictions for the wrong the public was dealt."
Abstract This paper will discuss the article "Betrayed Into Motion: The Seduction of Narrative Desire in M. Butterfly" by Tina Chen. By analyzing the different aspects of performance perception within this paper, Chen utilizes the many aspects of theatrical critique to show Madame Butterflies deviation from common theater tradition.
Abstract This paper argues that people make choices ignorant of the consequences. It examines the characters of Harold Pinter's "Betrayal" as manifestations of the Freudian psyche: the id, ego. and superego. Using this model, the author dissects their actions and the overall actions of the play. The paper includes two specific, in-depth analyses of scenes.
From the Paper "Betrayal is one act, broken into nine formal scenes, suggesting the integral continuity of life, as well as its episodic nature. Close inspection of any one of these scenes reveals a careful representation of human dialogue when nearly all the action is based upon deceit. In particular, scenes four and five illustrate Pinter's dramatic and thematic structure."
Abstract This paper discusses America's "betrayal" of its original priority not to interfere in the human dignity, freedom, democracy of other nations. The paper uses two books about Guatemala and Iran as sources.
From the Paper "My country will be faithful to the letter and to the spirit of the law said President Truman in Mexico City. It turned out America was neither. We must remember that this was the era of the beginning of the Cold War. America was determined to lead the world. This was not only politically, it was also economically. The African experience was being colonized by Western nations. Their manpower was used as cheap labor. Their minerals and other products went to enrich Europe even as..."
Tags: oil, politics, economics, Dollar Diplomacy, Churchill, Truman, Iran, Guatemala, United Fruit, communism
Abstract This paper describes how Arundhati Roy demonstrates the theme of betrayal in her novel, "The God of Small Things". These acts of betrayal are detailed in the betrayal of children by adults, of individuals by society, of parents by children, and in the betrayal of history and tradition.
From the Paper "The impact of betrayal is seen throughout the differing settings of the book; both when the twins are seven years of age in 1969 and when the twins have reached 31 years of age in 1993. Betrayal involves most of the characters in the novel: Rahel, Baby Kochamma, Estha, Chacko, Ammu, Mammachi, Sophie Mol, Murlidharan, and Velutha. As such, betrayal is an important theme within The God of Small Things."
Abstract This paper reviews Act IV of William Shakespeare's "Othello" which discusses and illustrates Othello's lapses from sanity to insanity. It examines how Othello's insanity is the result of jealousy, betrayal and rage and how Act IV of "Othello" provides two incriminating pieces of evidence that make Othello confirm Desdemona's betrayal and adultery. Because of the supposed betrayal of two individuals that he trusted most, Othello wasn't able to gain control of his anger, jealousy and embarrassment - he later fell into an epileptic seizure, a sign of both physical and mental instability of his state.
From the Paper "The first 'evidence' is the presence of handkerchief in Cassio's (in actuality, Bianca's) possession, while the second evidence is the conversation between Iago and Cassio that Othello had witnessed. Othello thought that the two men were talking about Desdemona, but in actuality, Cassio and Iago were talking about Bianca, to whom Cassio had relations with. With these two 'incriminating' evidence presented to Othello discreetly by the traitor Iago, Othello began raging about Desdemona's betrayal, about his hurt ego (although this is only implied), and the fact that Desdemona's treachery has to do with Othello's trusted man, Cassio."
Abstract This paper discusses how betrayal always begins with a relationship of trust. The paper explains how the person who becomes the victim initially trusts the person who does the betraying. The paper uses this explanation of betrayal to understand the position of the Greek mythical legend, Medea, a woman who is exceptionally intelligent and also very angry.
From the Paper "At first, Medea reacts to Jason's betrayal with extreme grief and even suicidal thoughts: "That lightening from heaven would split my head open. Oh, what use have I now for life? I would find my release in death and leave hateful existence behind me" (747:142-145). What begins as a terrible and unexpected blow producing pain and grief then progresses to murderous rage and a burning desire for revenge. As the children's nurse describes it, "...now there's hatred everywhere. Love is diseased" (744:16).Because Medea lives in a patriarchal culture where women have no rights, she cannot fight back openly (as a woman might do in Court today, for instance). Instead, she has to scheme and manipulate. The nurse describes her nature as full of "wildness," with a "bitter nature," and "proud hearted" (746:103-104). "
Abstract The paper begins with a synopsis of the play's plot, highlighting the themes of family and foreignness. It looks at Medea's husband's betrayal and the implications of her plight following this betrayal. Medea's loss of reputation and status is explored on several levels. The play's commentary on woman's rights and its controversiality are discussed, and the text is analyzed for its references to societal injustices against women.
From the Paper "The Medea relates a story about the power of love, which induces sacrifice as well as jealousy and feelings of revenge aroused by betrayal. Medea, the principal character, is a woman, who is so smitten by her love for Jason that she forsakes her family, country, and people to live in ?"the land of Corinth with her husband and children, where her exile found favour with the citizens to whose land she had come".?
Tags: synopsis, plot, family, foreignness, betrayal, reputation, status
