Thesis:

The city by Francis Imbuga and hamlet by William Shakespeare

Betrayal, revenge, and justice stand as enduring motifs recurrently explored across a vast spectrum of literary works throughout history. Across diverse literary genres, authors have extensively discussed betrayal, revenge, and justice, illuminating their psychological impacts and broader societal implications. While numerous studies have been conducted on the themes of betrayal and revenge in literature, there remains inadequate knowledge regarding their effects in specific texts such as Betrayal in the City by Francis Imbuga and Hamlet by William Shakespeare. The current study sought to bridge this gap by conducting a critical analysis of betrayal and revenge in the aforementioned texts. To achieve this, the study was guided by the following objectives; To examine prevalence of betrayal, explore elements of revenge and justice, and to evaluate the psychological effects of betrayal and revenge on the characters. The study employed reader response theory, to guide the analysis. The researcher employed descriptive research design, where qualitative data was gathered using intensive reading of the texts which were purposively sampled. Thematic analysis was used to analyze and present the obtained data. The findings indicate that in Betrayal in the City, betrayal is woven into the narrative through the suppression of cultural practices, social ostracism, and broken trust among allies, creating an environment of mistrust and moral compromise. In Hamlet, betrayal similarly drives the plot, where murder disrupts the natural order, inciting cycles of revenge and causing political and moral instability. Both works illustrate how the desire for vengeance can clash with the pursuit of justice, leading to a cycle of violence that ultimately destabilizes society. Psychological distress is prominent in both narratives, with betrayal and revenge causing erratic behavior, fear, and despair. This distress illustrates the profound impact of betrayal on individuals, as it drives a sense of existential crisis, emotional turmoil, and tragic outcomes. The study concluded that betrayal is a central theme in both Betrayal in the City and Hamlet, manifesting through personal and political actions that disrupt societal and moral order, illustrating an interface between African and European drama in addressing universal themes through cultural lenses. The pursuit of revenge, driven by betrayal, leads to significant psychological distress for characters in both works, resulting to a cycle of violence and tragic consequences. The study recommends developing and implementing ethical frameworks and mental health interventions to mitigate the destructive impacts of betrayal and revenge on both individuals and society.