The idea that it is men, who are instigators of such betrayal, is highlighted in “The Revenger’s Tragedy.” Although Vindice believes that his mother has betrayed him, it is he who instigated such betrayal by attempting to “try the faith of both.” Moreover, Gratiana’s aim is not to betray her daughter or her sons “by corrupting the image they hold of their mother as morally pure), but it is her weakness that leads Vindice to believe that she has instigated a degree of betrayal. Gratiana exemplifies female frailty – as a widow, her financial insecurity, lends some explanation to her susceptibility to bribery. Again, women are shown not to intentionally carry out betrayal, rather it is a product of their weakness.
However, the Duchees’ betrayal in sleeping with Spurio appears to be both intentional and callous. She alludes to the “hate” she feels towards the Duke, possibly because refused to free her son and “therefore wedlock faith shall be forgot. I’ll kill him in his forehead.” By making a cuckold of the Duke, the Duchess is aware that this “wound is deepest” and thus her actions do not appear to derive from a weakness of her character, but through deliberate want to hurt the Duke. Moreover, she later refers o Spurio as her “love’s true-begot” suggesting that despite the Duke’s refusal to free her son, she may have still intentionally betrayed him.
Shakespeare further portrays men to be the instigators of betrayal, as Hamlet forgets that he ever loved Ophelia. Through, being overcome with intense hatred and anger at his mother, Hamlet denies ever having loved Ophelia, and orders her “to a nunnery.” It is Hamlet who instigates such betrayal, as he previously says “My fair Ophelia – Nymph.” Through “nymph” Hamlet is describing Ophelia as a beautiful maid, thus highlighting his love for her. Yet, his attitude thereafter is considerably callous, as he continually questions Ophelia on her “honesty.” The continual questioning reflects that of a gruelling and in part contributes to Ophelia’s later madness. Kenneth Brannagh has said that his interpretation of “Hamlet” suggests that Hamlet is aware of either Polonius and Claudius and Hamlet’s continual repetition of “Get thee to a nunnery” emphasises his belief in all women being morally corrupt. Possibly, Hamlet betrays Ophelia because he ultimately loves her. He is aware of men being “arrant knaves” and as such may be protecting Ophelia. Nevertheless, his continual rejection of Ophelia and his violent sentiments highlight the concept that men were often instigators of betrayal at the expense of women.
Further, betrayal is portrayed as a tool used by men to further their own aims. Claudius betrays his brother, as he wants to seek kingship. Thus, greed and jealously are seen as inextricably linked to betrayal. Claudius cannot be pardoned as he still enjoys all he gained from fratricide, “My crown, mine own ambition and my Queen” and the continual reference to his own suggestive of the possessions which he had always sought to gain. It is Claudius who betrayed who betrayed Hamlet, but also in the eyes of the Church. The Church’s word was the law of the state and thus the commandment “thou shalt not murder” emphasises the depth of Claudius’s betrayal.
“The Revenger’s Tragedy” highlights the idea of betrayal linked with both greed and jealousy, as both Ambitioso and Sepervacuo attempt to incite Lussorioso’s death. In an aside, Ambitoso says, “The falling of one head lifts up another,” highlighting his ambition to become Duke at the expense of his step-brother’s death. The Duke is aware of such “envy” referring to both Ambitioso and Supervacuo’s attempt at covering it up “like scarlet hid in lawn.” The simile refers to the Duke’s ability to see the brother’s hatred and thus suggestive of jealousy being the overriding factor in committing betrayal.
As to covet another’s belongings, was contrary to religious teachings (“thou shalt not covet”), Shakespeare portrays betrayal as against religious beliefs. Thus, in both “Hamlet” and “The Revenger’s Tragedy” betrayal ultimately leads to destruction. Claudius’s attempt to atone for his sins is indicative of his awareness that such betrayal is contrary to religious teachings. Claudius appears to be in an agonised state – “O wretched state, a bosom as black as death, o limed soul” – his continual repetition is suggestive of the suffering his enduring through being unable to be pardoned for such sins. Contextually the Bible preaches that Christians should “turn the other cheek” and if carry out revenge on those who betrayed you, God will punish you. Hamlet’s continual dwelling on the issues of the afterlife and the suggestion of the terrors of the Purgatory numbs him into inaction. Hamlet himself says “conscience make cowards of us all” emphasising his inability to kill Claudius swiftly is due to his continuous pondering over the potential consequences, since he is aware of the repercussions of revenge. Thus, at the end of the play just as Claudius is punished for his sins of betrayal, Hamlet must face his own punishment for avenging such betrayal.
Shakespeare portrays betrayal as an inevitable consequence of the desire of characters to seek for power and greed. It is usually the male characters that attempt to gain from such positions, thus an audience are aware that men usually are perpetrators of betrayal. This is evident in “The Revenger’s Tragedy” where Ambitioso and Supervacuo’s desire to become Duke, which leads them to betray Lussurioso. Hamlet believes that his mother has betrayed his father and Ophelia is susceptible to carrying out such betrayal too, but it is more “female frailty” rather than betrayal that steers Gertrude’s actions. Gratiana exemplifies such “frailty” through betraying her own children and succumbing to what was perceived as women’s “natural sin.”
