Traitors in Tserents’s Historical Novels

Abstract

This article examines the characters of disunited and treacherous ministers in the novels "Toros, Son of Levon," "Travails of the 9th Century," and "Theodoros Rshtuni," with the goal of studying and comparing the treacherous characters in Tserents' historical novels with those in Raffi's and Muratsan's works, as well as bringing out the infamous and contemptible attitude of the Armenian elite, ministers, princes and clergy towards the fate of the homeland and its people. The historical-comparative and historical-analytical methodologies were employed in the course of the research. Following the previous studies, the author explores the theme of betrayal in three novelists' works written written different period of time, and comes to the conclusion that in order to preserve the independence of the homeland and the identity of the people, it is necessary to acknowledge the importance of the notions of national unity and patriotism. Three novelists' works contain plenty of insidious, materialistic, and cowardly Armenian traitors who, by prioritizing their own personal interests and welfare over national and state interests, bring great misfortune to the Armenian statehood and homeland through their treacherous activities. The denial of homeland, people, religion while allying with foreign dictators against the interests of the people is a grave crime and betrayal that deserves the harshest punishment.