Essay On Stolen Lineage: Empire And Marriage Within Hamlet

Stolen Lineage: Empire and Marriage within Hamlet The nuclear family, the traditional ideal of a husband and wife forming a household within wedlock, outlives both its strongest supporters and harshest critics. Providing a practical means for many basic human needs, the institution of marriage prevails throughout much of the pre-Renaissance world. While many individuals challenge the family unit’s effectiveness, often these alternative ideas lack the feasibility to sway the masses. Plato, a critic of the nuclear family, suggests that it prevents society from functioning at the highest possible level. However, as organized religion evolves in unison with society, some invoke doctrine that requires marriage, and thus, the formation of nuclear …show more content…
While often individuals played a role in the choice of their spouse, family member’s interests towards the gain of social position appear more pertinent. Thus, this union construct primarily existed to maintain family wealth, with the side benefit of companionship. Historians note that, “marriage was part of a system of inheritance and economics so ingrained and pervasive that the emotional affections or physical desires of a man and woman diminished in importance. This was especially true among the upper classes, where the amount of property being inherited could be substantial” (McDonald 266). In this way, English social standards dictated the continuation of the nuclear family. Furthermore, within this culture, romance remained an unthinkable concept amid a world of tactical marriage. Families relied heavily on the correct marriage for their children in order to continue lineage. Therefore, Henry VIII’s insistence on divorce redefined British matrimony on a plethora of levels. Historians note, “King Henry VIII had a strong desire to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, with whom he had a daughter…. but had no male heir. The king wanted to marry Anne Boleyn, with whom he had fallen in love” (Duiker Spielvogel 385). Beyond simply the revolutionary divorce, he also violated English convention when he risked social position in …show more content…
From this context, Shakespeare’s Hamlet describes the potential downfall for rulers when a failure of lineage occurs. Furthermore, Shakespeare quietly contrasts the downfalls of Denmark’s empire and Hamlet, with the rise of Fortinbras and Norway. In this subtle commentary, Shakespeare truly shows that maintaining empire requires strong primogeniture. While King Hamlet loses the throne to his conniving brother, which disrupts the chain of succession, Old Norway’s methodical handing of the torch to his son maintains royal lineage. Arriving on the final scene of the play, Fortinbras signals Norway’s conquering of Denmark, and ultimately a realignment of kingly succession. In this, Shakespeare shows that abiding by traditional mandates for marriage leads to stronger empire. Empire, under the writing of Shakespeare, can refer to many iterations along a spectrum of wealth. From a simple family estate, to the fate of an empire, Shakespeare shows the vulnerability that can occur from dividing the traditional family unit. In this way, Hamlet urges individuals to consider more aspects than simply romance when determining a marriage partner. Moreover, people must wearily consider the impact marriage will cause on their estate and