This blog is part of the task on Thinking Activity - "CS Hamlet". "CS Hamlet" topic was given by professor Dr. Dilip Barad and for the reference of the task detail reading click here. Certainly, here's a unique and intriguing answer so, this blog deals with some of the answers to questions.
1. Marginalization in Hamlet
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are among the marginal figures in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. When Claudius perceives Hamlet as a potential threat to his rule, he arranges for Hamlet to be sent to England with a letter instructing his execution upon arrival. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, acting under Claudius's orders, accompany Hamlet on this journey. However, Hamlet discovers the scheme and cleverly rewrites the letter to assign their names as the intended victims. Ultimately, the news of their deaths arrives as an afterthought, underscoring their expendability in the grander scheme of power and intrigue.
These two characters represent individuals marginalized by a system that exploits their loyalty and leaves them to perish without any acknowledgment of their humanity or innocence. Hamlet’s contemptuous reference to them as “sponges” encapsulates their disposability:
"Hamlet: . . . Besides, to be demanded of a sponge! What replication should be made by the son of a king?
Rosencrantz: Take you me for a sponge, my lord?
Hamlet: Aye, sir, that soaks up the King's countenance, his rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the King best service in the end. He keeps them, like an ape, in the corner of his jaw, first mouthed, to be last swallowed."
This metaphor not only reflects their subservience but also emphasizes their expendable nature in the power dynamics of Elsinore. In contemporary contexts, this resonates with how individuals working under powerful entities, such as political figures or corporations, are often treated as tools to achieve goals, only to be discarded once their usefulness diminishes.
2. Modern Parallels to Corporate Power
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's fate in Hamlet parallels the experiences of workers in today’s corporate world, particularly under the pressures of globalization and corporate downsizing. Just as they are treated as mere pawns in Claudius's scheme, employees in many modern companies are often reduced to “resources,” valued primarily for their utility rather than their individuality.
In the corporate world, workers are frequently subjected to exploitative practices, including long hours, inadequate wages, and minimal job security. When multinational corporations seek to maximize profits, they relocate operations to countries with cheaper labor or downsize their workforce, leaving countless employees displaced. This mirrors the fate of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who, despite their loyalty, are ultimately sacrificed for the ambitions of those in power.
A striking example can be found in The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid, where the protagonist experiences firsthand the ruthless pragmatism of corporate culture. Workers are often seen as dispensable, with decisions driven solely by profit motives. This dehumanization reflects the prioritization of capital over individual welfare, a trend increasingly evident in privatized sectors where profit reigns supreme.
3. Existential Questions in Stoppard’s Re-interpretation
In Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, the marginalization of these characters is given a new dimension as they grapple with existential questions about their purpose and agency. Stoppard portrays them as bewildered figures, caught in a world that remains indifferent to their struggles and eventual demise.
This existential portrayal mirrors the feelings of powerlessness experienced by employees in contemporary corporate environments. Workers often find themselves in situations where their efforts and sacrifices are overshadowed by impersonal systems prioritizing profits over people. In the play, Hamlet’s remark that “they were not near my conscience” reflects an attitude of detachment toward those deemed insignificant. Similarly, modern corporations exhibit a lack of empathy for the well-being of their workforce, treating employees as interchangeable components of a larger machine.
Stoppard’s focus on the characters’ search for meaning highlights the absurdity of a world that values utility over humanity, a theme that resonates strongly in today’s era of job insecurity and corporate dominance.
4. Cultural and Economic Power Structures
Both Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Stoppard’s reinterpretation critique the systemic marginalization of individuals by powerful structures. In Shakespeare’s play, power is concentrated in the hands of a few, leaving figures like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern at the mercy of the ruling class. Claudius uses them as tools to achieve his ends, and their deaths serve to reinforce the expendability of those outside the elite power circle.
Stoppard deepens this critique by exploring the internal struggles of the characters, who are painfully aware of their lack of agency. Their existential musings reflect the plight of contemporary workers in a neoliberal economy, where employees are subject to the whims of corporations that prioritize efficiency and profit over human dignity. This dynamic is particularly evident in industries dominated by privatization, where workers are often overworked, underpaid, and dismissed without regard for their contributions.
The collusion between governments and corporations further exacerbates this issue. Policies are frequently designed to benefit large businesses, leaving marginalized communities to bear the brunt of economic inequality. In such systems, workers face the same fate as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: used, discarded, and forgotten.
5. Personal Reflection
The marginalization of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Hamlet and Stoppard’s reinterpretation offers a profound commentary on the disposability of individuals within hierarchical systems. Both works underscore the utilitarian nature of power dynamics, where those on the periphery are exploited and discarded without acknowledgment.
This theme is strikingly relevant in today’s corporate landscape, where employees are often seen as “assets” to be maximized until their utility is exhausted. The indifference shown to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s deaths parallels the lack of empathy displayed by corporate leaders toward their workforce. The systemic neglect of workers’ well-being, both in terms of fair compensation and long-term security, reflects a world that prioritizes profits over people.
Studying these parallels deepens one’s understanding of cultural studies and power dynamics. It highlights the pervasive nature of exploitation across time periods, reminding us of the need for systems that value human dignity and equity over mere utility. By drawing attention to these issues, both Shakespeare and Stoppard challenge us to critically examine the structures that perpetuate marginalization and to advocate for a more compassionate and inclusive society.
Conclusion
The marginalization of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in both Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead serves as a compelling metaphor for the exploitation of individuals in hierarchical systems, whether in feudal monarchies or modern corporate structures. These characters’ expendability mirrors the plight of workers who are valued solely for their utility, discarded without acknowledgment when deemed unnecessary.
This comparison highlights the dehumanizing effects of power dynamics, both in historical and contemporary contexts. Just as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are treated as pawns in Claudius’s schemes, modern employees often find themselves caught in the impersonal machinery of globalization and corporate capitalism. Stoppard’s existential reinterpretation deepens this critique, forcing us to confront the indifference of systems that prioritize profit and efficiency over human welfare.
Reflecting on these parallels enriches our understanding of cultural studies, as it underscores the enduring relevance of issues such as exploitation, power imbalances, and systemic neglect. It calls for greater advocacy for equitable systems that respect human dignity, ensuring that no one is reduced to a mere “sponge” in the service of authority or capital.
Words: 1204
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