How Does Shakespeare Present The Social Hierarchy In Hamlet

Shakespeare’s Hamlet presents not only the tragic story of murder and corruption, but also a story about the state of the social hierarchy in early modern England. The corruption that is prevalent throughout the aristocracy supports the concepts of a class structure that is often over dramatized and abused, in Shakespeare's plays. Overall, the class structure presented in Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a reflection of society in the 14th century which Hamlet discovers, throughout the play, the irrelevance of the social hierarchy that he has lived under in which everything he can and cannot do is dictated by his position, and may be seen as essentially meaningless. Shakespeare shows this with Hamlet's relationship with Ophelia, the grave digger, and Laertes.

Societal expectations are presented when Ophelia is warned about her relationship with Hamlet, and the uncertainty surrounding her death. An example of the social structure that is prevalent in the play are the interactions that occur

between Ophelia and Polonius, many times throughout the beginning of the play, Ophelia is reminded of her place within society in comparison to Hamlet’s. Polonius states, “I went round to work, / And my young mistress Ophelia thus I did bespeak: / ‘Lord Hamlet is a prince out of thy star; / this must not be’” (pg 139-142). Polonius is showing that he knows, because of his place in society, his daughter Ophelia may not become romantically involved with Hamlet, because he is the prince.

The social structure presented in Hamlet is not simply part of the background of Shakespeare’s play, but also a critical examination of society. The scene with Hamlet and the gravedigger draws commentary on the social hierarchies of the time period. There is no psychological or emotional attachment to those that have passed away on the gravedigger’s behalf. Initially, Hamlet, who is unable to separate himself from all the connotations of death, is unable to clearly comprehend the implications of what the gravedigger is doing. The gravedigger, unlike Hamlet, sees the skeleton as simply a skeleton. He does not care what the man or woman’s position in life was, and he is only concerned with getting his job done. Once buried, a character enters a state of decomposition, and becomes the same as everyone else in the graveyard, no matter what life they lead or what status they had. Hamlet’s realization that occurs in the graveyard scene allows a different understanding of the play, Hamlet comes to the conclusion that the social structure that he has lived under his entire life has dictated everything. He realizes that all the corruption throughout the court has caused him to hide any true thoughts and feelings he may have including his love for Ophelia. This shown the social separation between the peasant grave digger, and the prince Hamlet.

Interactions between Laertes, his father and King Claudius show a way in which the king has power over his subjects in all realms, including travel.

When Laertes wishes to return to school he must get more than his father’s permission. In order to travel, Laertes must go before Claudius and have him approve of the trip. Laertes asks “Your leave and favor to return to France, From whence through willingly I came to Denmark To show my duty in your coronation, Yet now I must confess, that duty done, My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon.” (pg51). If Laertes wishes to return to France, even though it is to be productive, he must obtain permission from the king. Claudius ensures that Polonius, Laertes father, agrees to the terms of the trip as nothing more than a formality. Ultimately, Claudius is the deciding factor for the trip. As the social structure dictates, the king is the source that determines what may and may not

occur.

In conclusion Shakespeare demonstrates the social structure and the class structure differences presented in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet which reflects society in the 14th century. The representation of Hamlet's relationship with Ophelia, the grave digger, and Laertes, represents the social and class differences present in the 14th century society.