description Betrayal Overview
Betrayal is a 1978 play by British dramatist Harold Pinter about an extramarital relationship involving literary agent Jerry, gallery owner Emma, and her husband Robert, a publisher and Jerry's close friend. Most of the action moves backward from the affair's aftermath toward its beginning, allowing earlier scenes to alter the audience's understanding of later consequences. The play examines memory, deception, intimacy, and the different forms of betrayal within marriage and friendship.
insights Ranking position
Betrayal ranks #53 of 203 in the Play ranking, behind Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, ahead of Pacific Overtures.
help Betrayal FAQ
Why does Harold Pinter tell Betrayal backward?
The play begins in 1977, after Jerry and Emma's affair has ended, and moves backward toward its beginning in 1968. This structure lets the audience reinterpret earlier scenes as it gradually learns who knew about the affair and when.
Is Betrayal based on Harold Pinter's own life?
The play is widely associated with Pinter's long affair with television presenter Joan Bakewell while both were married. Pinter transformed that experience into the fictional triangle of Emma, Jerry, and Robert rather than presenting a literal memoir.
Who betrays whom in Pinter's play?
Jerry betrays his close friend Robert by having an affair with Robert's wife Emma, but the title extends beyond adultery. Emma, Robert, and Jerry each withhold information, manipulate chronology, or maintain loyalties that make betrayal reciprocal.
Was Betrayal adapted into a film?
Yes. A 1983 film directed by David Jones starred Jeremy Irons as Jerry, Ben Kingsley as Robert, and Patricia Hodge as Emma. Pinter wrote the screenplay and retained the reverse chronology of the stage play.
explore Explore More
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
