LANGUAGE IN INDIA

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Volume 23:11 November 2023
ISSN 1930-2940

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         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
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         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
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Shakespeare’s Capitalism in Timon of Athens and Karl Marx’s Interpretation

Dr. S. Sridevi

Abstract

This paper aims to study if Shakespeare had become aware of the role played by money in the common man’s life. His Timon presents an excellent understanding of money power and describes its social role in humanity. Gold is a private venture and is the achievement of the rising middle class. Marx’s Das Capital analyses the role of private capital in a detailed manner, while Shakespeare sums up the social and political power of money in a few lines. Timon of Athens is a great contribution to the political economy, as exemplified by Marx in his personal writings. This interpretation of Marx has created a platform for researchers to use literary works as tools to understand economic processes.

Keywords: Shakespeare, Timon of Athens, Capitalism, Karl Marx.

1. Introduction

Money, as the power of rising middle classes, is the theme of Timon of Athens and Das Capital. Shakespeare and Marx have captured the seminal role played by capital in the economic negotiations of humanity. Philanthropy fails in Shakespeare’s play. Exploitation established colonialism and made countries rich, Marx argues.

Karl Marx (1818–1883) said that “private property” operates in life as “essential objects for man, both as objects of enjoyment and as objects of activity.” Money has an “eminent possession,” has emerged as an universally powerful agency. Shakespeare in Timon of Athens also describes the power of money: “Gold? Yellow, glittering, precious gold? / … Thus, much of this will make black white, foul fair, / Wrong right, base noble, old young, coward valiant. /... Why, this / Will lug your priests and servants from your sides, / Pluck stout men’s pillows from below their heads: / This yellow slave / Will knit and break religions, bless the accursed; / Make the hoar leprosy adored, place thieves / And give them title, knee and approbation / With senators on the bench.” Shakespeare’s Timon refers to gold as “damned earth, /Thou common whore of mankind.” Gold is the “visible God” and is the reason for human purpose. (Quoted by Marx in 1844)

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Dr. S. Sridevi
Professor of English and Principal
Chevalier T. Thomas Elizabeth College for Women
Chennai 600011, Tamil Nadu, India
sridevisaral@gmail.com
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