a kiss is the beginning of cannibalism - George Bataille

In Christian tradition, Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, marking him for arrest and ultimately leading to his crucifixion. The kiss here is an intimate gesture used deceptively, signifying a deep betrayal. Symbolically, this kiss becomes the "beginning" of the metaphorical cannibalism: Judas's betrayal consumes Jesus' life.

In this sense, Judas's kiss represents the act of betrayal that initiates the process of Jesus being figuratively "devoured" by the world—his arrest, torture, and death. Furthermore, during the Last Supper, Jesus offers his body and blood as bread and wine, using the language of consumption, which aligns with the metaphor of cannibalism. This ties the kiss of betrayal to a broader sacrificial theme where Jesus, knowing he will be consumed by the events set in motion, willingly gives himself to be "devoured" for humanity's salvation. The kiss thus becomes both the moment of betrayal and the beginning of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice, a connection between affection, betrayal, and consumption.

If we relate "a kiss is the beginning of cannibalism" to their relationship, Armstrong's affection for Isobel is tinged with possessiveness and selfish desire. His attraction, like Judas’s kiss, serves as a cover for deeper, darker motives. He doesn't merely want Isobel as a lover or a partner but as an object to control and experiment upon. His desire to use her for scientific discovery—foreshadowing her potential sacrifice—can be seen as an act of consumption, where his pursuit of knowledge consumes her life and identity. Armstrong's betrayal isn't just personal; it's symbolic of the way scientific progress in the play can lead to the dehumanization and exploitation of vulnerable individuals like Isobel.