Examples Of Betrayal In The Great Gatsby

Betrayal was another trait that destroyed relationships in both novels. The first example of betrayal in The Great Gatsby is when Daisy runs over Myrtle. Obviously the death of Myrtle was an accident, but she left Gatsby out to dry. Daisy runs over Myrtle during her emotional breakdown caused by her husband Tom and Gatsby. Gatsby allowed Daisy to drive his car home to make her feel better. This quote (“But of course I’ll say I was” pg.114) said by Gatsby shows how much he really cares about Daisy. He is willing to take full blame of the hit and run as well as the murder of Myrtle for Daisy. Daisy is totally betraying and using Gatsby. She thinks it is fine to get away with murder and leave her innocent ex-boyfriend to take all of the blame. Daisy does nothing but betray Gatsby
Nick Carraway says (“Daisy hadn’t sent a message or a flower” pg.139). In Macbeth there was a lot of betrayal throughout the story. Macbeth betrays family, friends, and acquaintances. Macbeth betrays King Duncan in a devastating way. The witches prophecies for Macbeth tell him that he will become king one day. He knows that King Duncan is the main obstacle in his path to royalty. Once the witches tell him of his prophecies he says “why do I yield to that suggestion, Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair/ And make my seated heart knock at my ribs/ Against the use of nature?” (1.3.134-137). This means that Macbeth knows that he will need to betray King Duncan and murder him. It makes him feel so horrid and horrible for having to do so. Next Macbeth betrays his “best friend” banquo. Macbeth thinks that Banquo has figured out about the murder of King Duncan, so Macbeth acts swiftly and goes in for the kill. Once the ghost of Banquo leaves the banquet Macbeth says “Blood hath been shed ere now, i’th’olden time, / Ere humane statute purg’d the gentle weal; / Ay, and since too, murders have been perform’d / Too terrible for the ear.”