Consider the theme of Betrayal in the visit 

    Claire Zachanassain's betrayal from her former lover Ill has become her catalyst for
vengeance, greed, and power. The misery and anguish she suffered through her betrayal had
turned her love for Ill into something monstrous. She desires to fully control his fate and
plans to do this with her exuberant amount of wealth. After forty-five years she returns to
Gullen which is currently suffering from a devastating economic crisis to “buy justice “ from
Ill. We see how the theme of betrayal reoccurs throughout the visit through the relationships
between Claire and Ill and between Ill and the town of Gullen. 
   Claire believes if Ill forced her into prostitution and misery, she can force him into his
death. According to Claire, justice and vengeance are no different. Justice can be bought by
money and vengeance can be fulfilled by money. Her wealth and power have transformed her
from a naïve young girl into a calculating and egoist woman with no sense of moral
conduct. Her former love for Ill is now dangerous which she uses as a weapon for revenge.
However, she believes that this is an act of love rather than hatred. The teacher describes her
as the Greek goddess Clotho observing all the misfortune that she encountered catch up with
Ill one by one as she sits on the balcony of her Golden Apostle . Her main desire is to place
his corpse on a mausoleum on her estate to finally be able to the dominant partner in their
past relationship.
  The townspeople wait in anticipation hoping that her visit will bring them out of poverty. Ill
and Claire’s first encounter was far from romantic. Ill intends to charm and flaunt Claire in an
attempt to bring the town into financial stability. Instead, he is alarmed by her callous
straightforwardness and exposes his attempt and refuses him. “auch ich bin geworden und
fett-claire zachanassian1. She offers the town a generous gift of 500 million marks only on the
return of the life of Alfred Ill which the people rejected. “In Namen der Menschlichkeit.
Lieber bleiben wir arm denn blutbefleckt 2“ - der Burgermeister .Furthermore, her power is
emphasized as she we discover that she is responsible for the poverty and destruction of
Gullen , the townspeople would have no other choice but to murder Ill. It highlights how she
is willing to engage in ruthless and wicked behaviour in attempt to get revenge. Since she can
afford it now she betrays the people of Gullen just as how they forced her out of the town and
degraded her during her most unfortunate and calamity state after being betrayed by Ill . “
Die Gerechtigkeit kann man doch nicht kaufen. Man kann alles kaufen”3-Claire
Zachanassian. 
   Despite the devastating state of Gullen, it is a town known for its morality , humanity and
fellowship. Unfortunately, integrity is no match for Claire’s colossal offer of wealth.
Ill notices the citizens betrayal one by one as they succumb to the temptation of a lavish
lifestyle. The policeman who’s the representation of law and order in Gullen purchases
yellow shoes and a gold tooth portraying that the town is desperate desires for luxury. Even
the mayor himself with his cigarette, blueprints , guns disregards humanity or dignity. Ill
paranoia intensifies as since now the authorities are even willing to betray

him for Claire’s wealth. The yellow shoes are a vivid symbol of the townspeople's greed for
consumerism. Each new purchase of the shoes represents the temptation of betrayal. The
mayor's refusal for the arrest of Claire illustrates the power of money over the impoverished

1
Fredrich Durrenmatt der besuch der alten Dame ( Britain 1961, routledge foreign classics pg 23 )
2
2 Fredrich Durrenmatt der besuch der alten Dame pg 59
33
Fredrich Durrenmatt der besuch der alten Dame pg53

By Rebecca LI
town. “ wir leben schliesslich in einem Rechstaat.” 4The extreme irony is evident as the
mayor still believes the town follows moral values even though they are tempted to murder Ill
with the excuse of Ill’s outrageous crime that he committed forty-five years ago. . As Ill flees
to the train station, Durrenmatt use of stage directions helps us understand Ill’s role of the
whole betrayal. A huge mob overwhelms him making it impossible for him to leave. This
reinforces the idea that Ill plays the dominant role behind Claire's visit and most importantly
Gullen’s economic decline. His desperate cry for help as he collapses “Ich bin verlorer5 “
foreshadows his certain death and realization that he is to blame for the outbreak of Claire’s
wicked plan.
   Ill’s major Epiphany marks the central turning point of the play, he is willing to own up to
the betrayal and accept his fate. He realizes he has been intervened into Claire’s vicious plan
and it would be pointless to escape highlighting further that Justice in this town has been
corrupted by violence and cruelty. Ill appears to be ready for the town’s betrayal as he spends
his last moments with his family. He observes that his family is also pampering themselves
with luxuries. However, he feels happy for them despite their upsetting betrayal. Before Ill’s
last moments he kneels down surrounded by the press and the citizen’s which portrays the
degradation of the townspeople in the most selfish way possible “ Die gasse verwandelt sich
in einen Menschenknauel” 6 . It’s horrifying to observe the transformation of the citizens
from a town of virtues and dignity to vicious murderers betraying their friend for self-interest.
  Ill’s death was an immoral one, he died under the hands of his merciless and ruthless ex-
lover and the greedy civilians. Even though she was calculating and vengeful, she is not
entirely inhumane. She was blinded by his love all these years throughout so many marriages,
it was this relationship that affected her the most deeply. Ill committed a horrendous crime
but at least he recognise his faults and mistakes unlike the citizens who were blinded by the
thought of materialism.

References

Fredrich Durrenmatt Der besuch der alten Dame Routledge foreign literature classics

https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-visit/summary

4
Fredrich Durrenmatt der besuch der alten Dame pg91
5
Fredrich Durrenmatt der besuch der alten Dame pg109
6
Fredrich Durrenmatt der besuch der alten Dame pg 177

Rebecca Li
https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/281621-the-visit.pdf

https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-visit/quotes

https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-visit/symbols/yellow-shoes

word count 1055

Rebecca LI