Why Is Betrayal Timeless in Literature and Tragedy?

Photo by Thomas Gaertner

When it comes to a gripping story, no plot twist really does it better than a betrayal.

After all, The Darkness at Dawn is yet another story that tackles the question: Why is betrayal timeless?

In the Bible, it was immortalized by Judas Iscariot. The great Julius Caesar was assassinated by his friend, Brutus. In recent years, multiple best-selling novels and television series have had once-trustworthy characters reveal their true colors and inflict horrific crimes upon numerous protagonists.

Why is betrayal timeless in literature and tragedy?

What is so compelling about violating trust and friendships?

To answer this question, one must first look at patterns in both classical works of fiction and the modern. Much like the famous concept of the hero’s journey, the timeless existence of treacherous villains and former allies all have frequently adjacent sub-themes (as well as cautionary lessons).

After all, betrayal is a very real and very traumatic part of the human historical experience. Shattering bonds and putting readers in for a shocking betrayal such narrative weight, but there is more to it. It often signals a turning point, whether it’s a path of revenge or redemption.

There are emotional and psychological undercurrents that make betrayal so riveting. And through the course of several examples here, these patterns will become clear.

Fictional Traitors from Classical Tales to Modern Hits.

Let us first tackle the theme when it comes in the form of very recognizable individuals. Judas and Brutus are just two that many readers are familiar with. Think about similar characters in other works.

Arthurian folklore, for example, not only has one but two very notorious cases. Lancelot, despite his reputation as a chivalrous knight, has also been thought to have had a secret affair with Queen Guinevere. Some versions depict this as the beginning of proud Camelot’s downfall.

A more straightforward example was Mordred, another knight of the Round Table, who was said to have exploited Lancelot’s scandal to stage a coup that ultimately led to the Battle of Camlann (and King Arthur’s death in some versions).

Fast forward to more modern bestsellers; you get the complex web of deceit and manipulation in the likes of The Godfather novels. Here, you’ll see an entire series telling the story of crime families linking one betrayal after another. Vito Corleone was not only betrayed by his fellow don (Barzini) but even posthumously by his longtime friend Tessio.

Even science fiction isn’t spared. Ask any geek, and they’ll usually cite instances like Lando Calrissian selling out Han Solo in Star Wars or backstabbing schemers like Starscream from Transformers.

So, how do these cases answer the question of why is betrayal timeless in literature?

It is because there is an element of revelation when their treachery is exposed. Whether it is through dramatic exposition, comeuppance, or even when a protagonist counters with their own plans, the timelessness of betrayal makes for a compelling plot design.

It helps accomplish so many things, whether it is showcasing the horrors of violated trust or the unexpected cunning of a story’s leading hero.

Why is Betrayal Timeless in Literature? Because of Truth.

Now, there is actually something that still goes deeper than betrayal, making for incredibly twisty plots and exercising a reader’s knack for sleuthing.

It all has to do with truth.

In Darkness at Dawn, the first point of conflict is the unscrupulous Hawkes using John’s own Puritan code of oath-taking to cover up his crime of stealing a prized chalice. John’s knowledge of the truth sets the stage for the dilemma that vexes him throughout the novel. He is torn between committing one betrayal to avoid another.

It is this challenging impasse that demonstrates why betrayal lasts forever without a resolution. It is, in a way, a concealment of truth. But no matter how long a truth remains hidden, it will not cease to exist. And in an ultimate twist of irony, the same will go for anything that betrays it.

There are also other cases when truth and betrayal are interlinked. Some of Hawkes’ own shady dealings involve the betrayal of his partners and underlings (both in the Puritan community and even among the Native Americans). In these cases, even unrepentant schemers work tirelessly to uncover the truth of certain events (be it to exact punishment, ensure loyalty, or both).

How the Tragedy of Betrayal Defines a Story

Photo by Kelly Sikkema

So, to sum up, the answer to the question, “Why is betrayal timeless in literature?”

It is because betrayal is a potent instrument of deceit. But like anything that involves deceit, there is a timeless truth opposite to it.

Truth is how stories of betrayal often shine a light on other themes, like the meaning of loyalty and integrity. In portraying the worst breaches of trust, literature also invites readers to appreciate its positive opposites. Betrayal takes center stage, but it is often the response to it that reveals the enduring truths about human nature. In that sense, betrayal is not just a disruption but a narrative crucible through which deeper moral truths are revealed and why you can always expect a compelling story to involve one.

Now, if you’d like to learn more about the various plots that surround the betrayals discussed in The Darkness at Dawn, you can get yourself a copy over at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Outskirts Press.