A Marxist Analysis of Hamlet

Marxism theory in literature makes up the political and class aspects of a society. The idea of Marxism can be easily seen throughout Act 4, Scene 3 of the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare. 

In Act 4, Scene 3 of Hamlet, the ideas of power and corrupt government play a significant role in the events of the scene. For instance, Claudius works throughout the scene to strengthen his power grip rather than having the people of Denmark as his top concern, accomplished by exiling Hamlet to England and manipulating those close to Hamlet so that there is no threat to his rule. The following line, said by Hamlet, supports this idea, as he says: “A certain convocation of politic worms are e'en at him. Your worm is your only emperor for diet. We fat all creatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselves for maggots. Your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable service—two dishes, but to one table.” (4.3.22-26). Here, Hamlet is being interrogated by Claudius for the location of Polonius’ remains. Hamlet taunts Claudius over his desire to strengthen his grip on Denmark. As well, Hamlet compares Claudius’ continued hunger for power and influence to the maggots eating away at Polonius’ remains, who Hamlet had accidentally killed in Act 3, Scene 4. Claudius represents a corrupt government because Claudius only cares about strengthening his power grip on Denmark through any possible opportunity, including the manipulation and exiling of those who may pose a threat to his rule. 

The idea of Marxism in Act 4, Scene 3 of Hamlet can be extended from power to the idea of class oppression, which is the discrimination against members of lower classes by those of higher classes. Early in Act 4, Scene 3, Claudius, who is of a high class, or bourgeoise, displays a negative outlook on the citizens, most of whom are proletariat, or working class. Additionally, Claudius says the following quote “He’s loved of the distracted multitude / Who like not in their judgment, but their eyes / And where ’tis so, th' offender’s scourge is weighed” (4.3.4-6). Through this quote, Claudius talks about his thoughts towards the people of Denmark. He says that they do not care about the severity of the crime at hand and that they would be angry at the severity of the punishment towards Hamlet, and that he would have to make sending Hamlet to England appear to the public differently to avoid controversy. Claudius’ stance on the people of Denmark is an example of class oppression, as Claudius looks upon the people, who are of a lower class than him, in a negative light because they care more about ensuring Hamlet’s punishment is not too strict than the fact that Hamlet murdered Polonius, who was a politician. Claudius’ outlook on the people of Denmark in this scene represents class oppression and class struggle. 

Throughout Act 4, Scene 3 of Hamlet, multiple ideas are discussed with regards to government, power and the desire for power, social classes, and even class struggle.