This paper addresses the issues of seduction and betrayal, in particular as they manifest in the consulting room. The author notes the universality and primitive nature of these issues, which originate between mother and child at a pre-oedipal level and are rife between parents and children during the oedipal stage. In addition, the author highlights a post-oedipal stage of development and illustrates her themes with clinical material from work with two male patients. She claims that revenge is the natural response to the feeling of having been seduced and then betrayed. Finally, she suggests that moments of seduction are vital and can be a significant focal point during analyses of patients.