Who Is The Great Equalizer In Hamlet

The Great Equalizer of Society

Marxist theory shows the problems with a society heavily influenced with a class system. The system will eventually be replaced with a classless society due to the system negatively impacting the country in ways that are avoidable. This is evident in Hamlet as the royal family was so heavily involved in their own follies, rather than the problems of the rest of the country. The theme that Shakespeare implements in the play is that death is the great equalizer for all. There is no difference between the royal family of Hamlet, and the poorest of individuals after death. Hamlet supports marxist theory as the play shows that the traditional monarchy of Denmark is ineffective at proportionally allocating resources

Most of the wealth is held by the royal families which creates an even larger gap between the classes. This allows for no movement between the classes and you are locked into the small range of your class. Not only does the monarchy provide no ability to move classes in Hamlet, it was a problem for “...socio-political stability” (Roberts). For example the gravedigger who speaks with Hamlet is a very intelligent man, but can’t use his skills for anything more than his own conversations. He talks as if he were a lawyer but he is no more than a

At this point Hamlet understands that Yorick, a jester for the king, and his father are no different. Even though King Hamlet and Yorick were very different in terms of status, Hamlet sees how they are not any different. After he thinks for a moment about Yorick he continues to the idea of Alexander the Great.

Some of the most prominent men to ever live on earth are buried in the same way as anybody else. Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, two of the most well known leaders are no different from anybody else. The status and wealth you have accumulated over your entire life is meaningless after death.

“But to follow him thither with modesty enough, and likelihood to lead it, as thus: Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth to dust, the dust is earth, of earth we make loam—and why of that loam, whereto he was converted, might they not stop a beer barrel?

Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to clay,

Might stop a hole to keep the wind