Betrayal In Hamlet And Death Of A Salesman

Betrayal is known as one of the most common themes expressed throughout literature. At times, this cruel theme brings to the reader acts of sympathy towards the character(s) that have witnessed deceit from another person. Authors address the theme of treachery within their works to derive a specific message across. Characters in Hamlet and Death of a Salesman contribute to this theme both physically among other individuals, and mentally within themselves to help gain their own desires.

In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the theme of betrayal is consistent throughout the play as each character betrays those who are close to them to further maintain their reputation and to achieve their own selfish gains. In the beginning of the play, Claudius betrays his own brother, King Hamlet, by taking his life. Thus enabling him to seize the thrown and gain total control. The ghost of the late King Hamlet informs his son how “that incestuous, that adulterate beast,

With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts, that have the power” to aid him to become king, and “to seduce” and “won the will of my most seeming-virtuous queen” (Shakespeare 1415).

Gertrude betrays Hamlet and the late King Hamlet by marrying Claudius. Hamlet, being still depressed about his father’s death was further upset and felt betrayed by his mother when she quickly married Claudius alarming her that she has his father “much offended” because of her actions (Shakespeare 1455). King Claudius betrays Gertrude by indirectly killing her. He did not tell her that the cup she was going to drink from was poisoned, and he did not stop her either way even though he knew. When Gertrude realized “it is the poison’d cup” she has dranked from, Claudius notifies Hamlet “it is too late” to save her life (Shakespeare 1493-1494). Polonius betrays his own son, Laertes, by sending a servant to go spy on him. Polonius sends

Reynaldo to Paris who “shall do marvellous wisely, good” when questioning Laertes on “his behaviour” (Shakespeare 1419). The only relationship that is not affected by betrayal is between Hamlet and Horatio. Horatio remains loyal and loving to Hamlet until the end. Furthermore, Horatio even offers to die alongside Hamlet by drinking “some liquor left” inside the cup. However, Hamlet insists him to “give him the cup: let go, by heaven” for someone has to “live behind him” (Shakespeare 1495).
Arthur Miller’s short story, Death of a Salesman, uses the theme of betrayal to demonstrate how ambition can arise from such situations. Betrayal has given each character the inspiration to do things with their lives that they believe will help both themselves and those around them. Willy considers Biff's failure in business as a betrayal of his expectations considering that he is trying to “find himself on a farm”. Willy rants on how is “a farmhand” even considered “a life”, and how “not finding yourself at the age of thirty-four is a disgrace” (Miller 1703). It is ironic, however, that, throughout the play, Willy seems to desire for just the sort of simpler lifestyle that his son has created for himself. One could conclude that Willy's feelings of betrayal are in some ways linked to feelings of jealousy toward his son. Whenever Willy noticed Linda mending stockings, he would “angrily” take them away, lash at her saying he “won’t have her mending stockings in this house” and orders her to “throw them out” (Miller 1715). The stockings symbolize Willy’s affair with The Women and his betrayal towards Linda. Bringing to him a sense of guilt seeing Linda mending stockings, it caused Willy to respond belligerently towards her actions. Linda feels that her sons have betrayed their father by “turning their backs on him” despite Willy having “put his whole life into them.” When Linda “goes down” to “take away that little rubber pipe”, she “puts it back” every time Willy comes back home. She is “ashamed” to betray Willy in that matter just like her sons have (Miller 1726). Furthermore, Linda assumes that their betrayal is a big part of what has driven Willy to consider suicide. In reference to Willy, Biff tells Linda that he “knows he is a fake and he doesn’t like anybody around that knows.” Linda starts questioning what Biff actually meant by saying that Willy “is a fake”. However, Biff informs her to not “lay it all at his feet” that it’s between him and Willy (Miller 1725). Biff feels betrayed by his father's affair, but refuses to tell Linda. Biff hides the truth of his father’s infidelity to protect Linda, but at the same time is betraying Linda for keeping the truth away from her that could potentially affect his parent’s relationship.
In conclusion, the characters in both plays expressed betrayal to achieve their greatest desires. For instance, both Hamlet and Willy Loman underwent multiple treacheries to receive what was most needed for them to live in peace. For Hamlet it was the revenge of his father’s death. For Willy it was the ambition to die as a salesman. Eventually, both characters expressed a downfall of their own: death. However, having accomplished what they yearned for made them believe that they no longer had a need to be alive.