I know the backstory. Arnold was more Aestu than Aestu. He was an insufferable megalomaniac who always had to be in charge and kept reaching past his level.
People were suspicious of Arnold even before he betrayed the cause because they knew he was capable of just that. He didn't simply betray the country, he bitched, argued and hectored with the British about his price until they were almost ready to say, "you know, just let the Yanks have him." After he turned traitor, he met with nothing but failure in his life and sued everyone in sight because he could never accept not getting everything he wanted, right away.
Proof being the very rationalization you give. You don't get a promotion because some people don't like you, so you turn traitor?
Aestu of Bleeding Hollow... Nihilism is a copout.
|