Why Did Diana Betray Agent 47 in Hitman 3? A Deep Dive into Their Complex Relationship
The shocking climax of Hitman 3 left many players reeling, as Diana Burnwood, Agent 47’s longtime handler and confidante, seemingly betrays him. This act, far from being a simple plot twist, is rooted in a complex web of motivations, personal history, and a desire for justice that transcends their professional partnership. The short answer is that Diana betrays 47 to become The Constant herself and take control of Providence from within. In addition, she wanted a sense of justice and to break away from organizations like ICA and Providence. While she understands 47’s role in the death of her parents, she no longer blames him. Instead, she sees controlling Providence as a way to ensure such events can never happen again.
The Revelation and its Fallout
The primary catalyst for Diana’s betrayal is the revelation of Agent 47’s involvement in her parents’ death. Though previously unaware, Diana discovers that 47 was the operative hired by Providence to carry out the car bombing that killed her parents. This revelation is delivered by The Constant, who uses this information to manipulate Diana. Understandably, this knowledge rocks her to her core, forcing her to re-evaluate her relationship with 47 and the very foundations of their partnership.
While this revelation is a significant emotional blow, Diana’s response isn’t solely driven by revenge. Instead, she channels her anger and grief into a calculated plan. She understands that simply seeking retribution against 47 will not resolve the deep-seated issues with organizations like Providence, that ordered the deaths of her parents. Her ultimate goal is to dismantle such organizations from the inside, not destroy them out of spite. This is why she decides to align herself with the new Providence, and become The Constant in order to achieve a sense of justice and change for the future.
Strategic Alliance and Personal Ambition
Diana’s betrayal is more than just a knee-jerk reaction to learning about 47’s past actions. It’s a carefully planned maneuver to achieve her own objectives. The constant, aware of the revelation, provides Diana with an opportunity: the chance to take his place and shape the future of Providence. This is the key driver behind Diana’s seemingly abrupt about-face. She sees becoming the Constant as the most effective way to ensure that no one experiences what she did ever again, and to finally attain a power over the people and organizations that once controlled and manipulated her.
Diana’s plan requires her to temporarily sever her ties with 47. This includes staging his capture, making it appear that she has completely turned against him. It’s a calculated risk, but she knows that this betrayal needs to appear genuine to the higher-ups within Providence in order for them to fully trust her. She even tells 47 she’s sorry and that she doesn’t completely blame him for his past actions. It’s this complexity, this mix of personal history and strategic calculation that makes Diana’s turn so engaging.
Beyond Betrayal: The Promise of a New Future
The ending of Hitman 3 is not solely a tale of betrayal. While the initial interaction between Diana and 47 ends with a betrayal, the final scenes hint at a future where they work together, independent of any organization. They are no longer bound by the ICA or Providence. Diana and 47 are now a freelance, highly effective assassination duo, focused on dismantling corrupt power structures, operating on their own terms. They are still working together, just with more freedom and less control from external forces. This is made apparent by the ending of Hitman 3, when Diana disables 47, leading to his capture by The Constant’s team. Diana explains to 47 that she is sorry and that she doesn’t completely blame him for her parents deaths.
Diana’s actions, while initially appearing as a betrayal, ultimately pave the way for a more independent and powerful partnership with 47. In a sense, her betrayal is a calculated step towards achieving a greater good, free from external control and personal history. Diana understands that their partnership can have a huge impact for the world, and the organizations that need to be dismantled.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why was Agent 47 hired to kill Diana’s parents?
Agent 47 was hired by Providence on behalf of Blue Seed executives to carry out a car bombing that killed Diana’s parents. This act was orchestrated by a shadowy organization and was not something 47 had a choice in. It was a typical contract job for him at the time.
2. Did Diana know about Agent 47’s role in her parents’ death before Hitman 3?
No, Diana was unaware that Agent 47 was responsible for her parents’ death. She learns about this from The Constant during the events of Hitman 3. The constant uses this information as leverage against her.
3. What is Providence?
Providence is a secret society of powerful individuals who control global events from behind the scenes. They manipulate political, economic, and social situations to maintain their power and control. They were a core enemy for much of the trilogy.
4. What was Diana’s initial relationship with Agent 47?
Diana Burnwood was Agent 47’s handler, providing him with mission details and coordinating his work. She acted as the bridge between him and the ICA and a close confidante to him, despite their professional relationship.
5. How does Diana become The Constant?
Diana is offered the position of The Constant by the previous Constant himself, as he is being killed by Agent 47. She accepts in order to take control of Providence and ultimately seek a different kind of justice.
6. Why does Diana tell 47 that she doesn’t completely blame him for killing her parents?
Diana understands that Agent 47 was merely a tool used by Providence and that he didn’t make the decision to kill her parents out of personal malice. She focuses her blame more on the structures that enabled the act, instead of the agent carrying it out.
7. Is Agent 47 aware of Diana’s plan when she betrays him?
No, Agent 47 is not aware of the full extent of Diana’s plan when she seemingly betrays him. He is taken by surprise at the end of the game.
8. Does this mean Diana and 47 are now enemies?
No, the ending suggests that Diana and Agent 47 are now working together independently as a freelance duo, without the backing of the ICA or Providence. Their partnership will now have more freedom and less oversight, while working on taking down corrupt elites.
9. How is Diana’s role in Hitman 3 different from previous games?
In Hitman 3, Diana is more directly involved in the plot and her role evolves from handler to a more active player with her own personal agenda, driven by both her history and desire for justice. Her decisions become more independent from external forces.
10. Does Diana have any other motivations besides revenge?
Yes, while initially driven by the revelation about her parents’ death, Diana’s primary motivation becomes dismantling corrupt organizations like Providence from within and seeking a form of justice. This pushes her to take The Constant’s place.
11. Did the ICA know Diana was betraying 47?
No, the ICA is unaware of Diana’s betrayal of Agent 47. She carries out the plan completely on her own.
12. What does the future hold for Diana and 47?
The ending of Hitman 3 suggests that Diana and 47 will continue working together as a powerful freelance team, targeting corrupt organizations and elites without any outside influence or control.
13. Has Diana betrayed 47 before?
Yes, in the game Hitman: Absolution, Diana betrays the ICA to save Victoria, a clone created by them. Agent 47 is sent to assassinate her but instead fakes her assassination and kills the ICA regional director. This betrayal shows Diana’s willingness to put people over institutions.
14. How did Diana and 47 first meet?
Diana and 47 first met in Hitman (2016), when the constant approached Diana with an offer. If she and 47 helped him and Providence hunt down the Shadow Client, he would provide information about 47’s past and the death of Diana’s parents.
15. Is Agent 47 a good guy?
Agent 47 is an anti-hero. He is a murderer who does it for money. He is a bad guy who does good things by taking down corrupt and evil people. He generally avoids the deaths of innocents when fulfilling a contract. He’s far from a traditional hero, but his actions ultimately benefit the greater good.