This collection investigates the intersection of Marxist political theory and the dramatic works of William Shakespeare to determine how class, labor, and ideology manifest within early modern texts. Editors Jean Howard and Scott Cutler Shershow compile essays from prominent scholars who analyze the socio-economic conditions of the Elizabethan era. The volume argues that Shakespearean drama serves as a site of ideological contestation, reflecting the tensions of a society transitioning toward early capitalism. By applying materialist frameworks, the contributors examine how these plays both reinforce and challenge the power structures of their time.

Scholars frequently cite this volume as a significant contribution to the field of materialist Shakespeare studies. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which assumes a foundational knowledge of both Marxist theory and Renaissance literature.