Social Ranks In Hamlet

Marxist lens came from the theory of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, where they both believed that “the working class were deprived of fair share by the higher rank” (Willette, 2010). From the famous play Hamlet, of William Shakespeare, that was published in 1603, it focuses more on social barriers between ranks. Social ranks is so important during the time period Shakespeare wrote Hamlet, that the whole play is based on how higher ranks abuses their power and were treated a lot better than the lower ranks.Through the vision of Marxist critical lens in Hamlet, an observer were able to see the strong boundary between the different social classes in the story. In Act 2 scene 2 from the book, showcases one example of viewing through the lens of

This made the higher rank in society abused their own powers. This statement can be proved from the story Hamlet. An example is when Hamlet killed Polonius hoping it was King Claudius in Act 3, scene 4 line 24. Someone in a higher rank cannot be punished for their sinful doing. Hamlet said sorry for killing Polonius by “accident” but, he doesn’t seem to be sorry at all, he just dragged Polonius across the floor behind him (III.iv.207-20). He didn’t even bother to save Polonius when he stabbed him; he just let him die. When King Claudius find out, he didn’t even want to punish Hamlet for killing Polonius because he loves Hamlet’s mother and Hamlet is loved b y the people, punishing him will rise a rebellion against him. Despite the crime that was created by Hamlet, a prince with high social class, he didn’t received any punishment, it was covered up. Polonius didn’t receive any justice for his death. Hamlet was able to hide his crime because he has the power and the title. Another example is when Ophelia died. In Act 5, scene 1, churchyard two gravediggers were digging Ophelia’s pit grave and they were arguing weather Ophelia should be buried in the churchyard when it looks like her death was a suicide. The first gravedigger ask, “Is she to be buried in Christian burial that seeks her own salvation?” meaning, it seems like she drowned herself in her own will which is known to be a suicide (V.i.1-2). In Christian belief, a person who committed suicide is a sin in the eyes of God (Miller, 2013). A priest, a follower of God believed that, a person committed suicide will not receive a Christian burial (Miller, 2013). Then the other gravedigger then argued that, “While you ha’ the truth on’t? If this had not been a gentlewoman, she should been buried out o ” (V.i.22-24), which means, Ophelia is receiving a Christian burial because of her background. She is from a high social class with a powerful