Essay On Marxism In Hamlet

Through Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, if looked at carefully, one can see many aspects of Marxist thought in the story. When analysing Hamlet through a Marxist critical lens, you need to pay close attention to the interactions between characters in different classes. (add sentence)

The reader must also recognize what social class the author is in and how that could possible affect the authors portrayal of characters.

In Hamlet, all the characters in the story can be placed soundly in one of the social classes in Marxist theory, those being: the Aristocracy, the ruling class; the Bourgeoisie, the wealthy just below the aristocrats, and the proletariat, also known as the working class. The characters in Hamlet can be placed in one of these three social and economic classes. Hamlet and his family would all be considered the aristocrats, King Fortinbras and his son can also be placed in this class. Characters in the bourgeoisie are characters that are wealthy and most likely have connections to the aristocrats, those characters are Polonius, Ophelia, Laertes, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Since the majority of the play is with characters from these upper classes, we only

really see a few characters in the Proletariat, mainly, the gravediggers.
There can be many different interpretations of Hamlet through a Marxist lens, mainly the interactions between people of different classes.

Let us look at Claudius. Claudius is devious and intelligent, but also selfish. Claudius kills his brother, the King, to gain social, political, and economic power. “Of those effects for which I did the murder: My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen.” (3.3.Lines) Claudius from a Marxist point of view would be looked at as a figure who was been corrupted in his craving for political power. In fear and to protect his power, Claudius convinces Hamlets friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to spy on Hamlet to make sure he goes to England. “By letters congruing to that effect, The present death of Hamlet. Do it, England, For like the hectic in my blood he

rages,
And thou must cure me.” (4.4.Lines) Claudius is suspicious of Hamlet and the further away from Denmark Hamlet is, the easier it is for Claudius to keep his power. Claudius has an oppressive rule over Hamlet.
Hamlet can be portrayed as a witty and courageous man who seeks to overcome the “oppressive” rule over him by Claudius. He isn’t inclined to be corrupted by the desire for power. If looking at a classic proletariat overthrow, Hamlet would be the leader of that revolution, he sees how Claudius is oppressive and an illegitimate leader. Also, Hamlets actions also show how he ignores the social ladder. Hamlet socializes and associates himself with Horatio, even though Horatio is considered to be lower class than him. Hamlet also ignores that separation of classes when he sets to rebel against Claudius.
Act 4 scene 7, enter Claudius and Laertes. In this scene, Claudius and Laertes are discussing “Official Culture.” Official culture is, in short, how the system is rigged. Claudius explains to Laertes, that due to Hamlet’s social position, the ordinary person view him in a positive light. Claudius is making Laertes understand that anything Hamlet does he will not be punished. The common people adore Hamlet and that since he is prince.