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Matt Hintz Mrs. Glorioso AP Literature September, 5 Betrayal Essay The betrayal of a mans love will be the fuel of his cold heart. Throughout Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights, Catherines betrayal of Heathcliff is the predominant factor for the majority of Heathcliffs decisions throughout his life after Catherine and Edgars marriage. This betrayal fuels Heathcliff to become an educated gentleman, marry Isabella and gamble Hindley out of his money and house. After Mr.Earnshaws death and Catherines departure for the grange, Heathcliff was belittled by Hindley and looked down upon by Edgar and Catherine. Although Catherine continued to love him she knew it would ruin her reputation to run away with him and therefore married Edgar. At the realization of Catherine and Edgars marriage, Heathcliff runs away to seek his riches and revenge. The only reason Heathcliff leaves is to earn riches to use to manipulate Edgar and Hindley to whom he had vowed revenge on before he left. When Heathcliff returns he is sharply dressed and hardly recognized by the company of Wuthering heights and the Grange. Returning with such wealth and status infuriates and intimidates Edgar which is exactly what Heathcliff wanted. His good looks and sharp tongue swoons Isabella which not only infuriates Edgar but also provokes jealousy in Catherine.

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Heathcliff pursues Isabella solely in spite of Edgar. He admits to her that although he has tried, he could never love her. Heathcliff takes advantage of Isabellas Naivety and marries her only to take her riches and rights to the Grange. Catherines betrayal is the evident reason for his pursuit of Isabella because he puts her name first in front of hers and makes it clear that he loved her first. Isabella so desperate for a wealthy husband completely overlooks all of the signs and sleeps with Heathcliff. Heathcliff is so haunted by the betrayal that he will not even allow Isabella to sleep in the same bed as him and shows complete disregard for the child. Having already completely secured Isabellas wealth as his own, Heathcliff then pursues the estate of wuthering heights and his revenge on Hindley in which he vowed as a young teen. Having become an avid drinker after the death of his wife, Hindley took to gambling and hanging at bars foolishly throwing away his fortune. Knowing that Catherine cared so much about her reputation, Heathcliff pursued riches and land in order to almost mock Catherines choice in husband. Not caring one bit for his once brother, Heathcliff tricks Hindley out of his fortunes and becomes the owner of Wuthering heights. Heathcliff sleeps in Catherines room allowing no one in but himself showing the impact of her betrayal on his life and heart. The betrayal has such a large impact on his life that at Catherine death he begs her soul to haunt him and it is a vision of her that ultimately brings him to his death. As shown, Wuthering heights is a story built on betrayal and an unyielding love. Catherines betrayal is the one thing that gives Heathcliff drive to become a monster trapped in an emotional whirlwind that will never rest his soul. Love is a powerful and dangerous force and as shown through Heathcliff, once it is crossed it cannot be counteracted or stopped.