The Lightning Thief: Essay

Betrayal and Suspicion

American actress, singer and author, Nicole Richie has said, “It's hard to tell who has your back, from who has it long enough just to stab you in it.” In our daily lives, not a lot of people we meet are trustworthy. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is full of betrayal and suspicions. Luke betrays Percy, because he wants to use his wisdom and power to finally make someone proud of him and causes suspicions among the gods who do not trust each other already.

Luke betrays Percy by acting like Percy’s friend but stealing the Lightning Bolt and trying to kill Percy. Luke takes care of Percy one his first day and makes conversations with Percy (100-101). Luke even teaches Percy to fight with swords (108-111) Percy seems helplessly weak and useless with all the other weapons (107). Other than how he acts in front of Percy, he actually steals the Lightning Bolt (365) and tries to kill Percy with a scorpion (364). Luke betrays Percy by creating an untrue friendship but actually stealing Zeus’s Lightning Bolt and trying to kill Percy.

The reason Luke betrays Percy is that Luke wants to use his wisdom and power to make himself proud and special. “Kronos [gets him] to steal the master bolt [through his dreams]” (366). He does this for Kronos because he is finally asked to do something incredible that no one could do and thinks he could finally become useful. He is smart and sneaky and he wants to show it to the others.

Luke causes suspicions among the three gods ---- Zeus, Poseidon and Hades ---- who already suspect others. Zeus thinks Poseidon convinces his son, Percy to steal his Lightning Bolt (135). Hades thinks son of Poseidon, Percy steals the Lightning Bolt (and his helm) (313-314). Poseidon does not admit and agrees to start a serious war if it is not found (136-137). Luke causes the gods to suspect the other gods, so they could start a major war.

Luke betrays Percy, because he wanted to use and show off his wisdom and power which creates serious suspicions among the gods. The Lightning Thief reveals a truth that a person can be betrayed very simply by someone who is considered a friend or companion. There is a saying, “[Good friends should] share the fortune and bear the hardship together.” Therefore, in the future, do not trust another too easily before going through both joyful moments and rough days together with them.