When is betrayal acceptable?

I believe that betrayal is acceptable in certain circumstances. Generally, if I have an agreement with someone, and that person breaks the agreement, then I am justified in breaking my end of the bargain, too. It's not a matter of two wrongs making a right. When the other person knowingly violates my trust, I no longer feel bound by the old agreement. By betraying me, the other person has nullified that agreement.
In the case of The Fighting Ground, on page 102, Jonathan realizes,"he could, he knew simply walk away and be free. He could stay and be their prisoner. Or-he realized with a quickening sense of dread-he could do what any true soldier would do. He could kill them." This is not actually a betrayal because Jonathan wasn't actually the Hessians' friend. But as the Hessians had begun to trust him, it is a betrayal of trust. This is acceptable because Jonathan is a soldier. He is at war and it is a matter of life and death. I think that if your life is at risk and you have a good cause, betrayal can be acceptable, depending on the circumstances. Truly, this is when betrayal is acceptable.
~ Diana 705