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Main Authors: Kusen, Felicia Jessica, Tatemba, Filmorevo Jesse Lincoln, Lie, Jesslyn Quaneisha, Martin, Dominic Thomas, Tambunan, Aubrey Jemima, Sabuin, Kezia Jade Meizie
Format: Recurso digital
Language:English
Published: Zenodo 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17091109
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author Kusen, Felicia Jessica
Tatemba, Filmorevo Jesse Lincoln
Lie, Jesslyn Quaneisha
Martin, Dominic Thomas
Tambunan, Aubrey Jemima
Sabuin, Kezia Jade Meizie
author_facet Kusen, Felicia Jessica
Tatemba, Filmorevo Jesse Lincoln
Lie, Jesslyn Quaneisha
Martin, Dominic Thomas
Tambunan, Aubrey Jemima
Sabuin, Kezia Jade Meizie
contents <p>This article examines <em>Gladiator II</em> (2024) through the lens of Karl Marx’s theory of class struggle. Using textual and thematic analysis, the study explores how the film portrays structural inequality, labor exploitation, and the emergence of resistance within ancient Roman society. The findings indicate three key results: <strong>1)</strong> the depiction of slavery and gladiatorial combat embodies Marx’s concept of commodification of labor, revealing the economic foundations of Roman spectacle. <strong>2)</strong>, the transformation of Lucius Verus illustrates the development of class consciousness, shifting from individual survival to collective solidarity. <strong>3)</strong>, the film’s portrayal of Rome’s decline demonstrates historical materialism, showing how contradictions in production and power relations lead to social revolution. These insights position <em>Gladiator II</em> not merely as entertainment but as a cultural text that critiques systemic oppression and mirrors contemporary issues such as inequality, corruption, and political dominance. By employing Marxist criticism, the study affirms the relevance of class struggle as both a historical and modern narrative.</p>
format Recurso digital
id zenodo_https___doi_org_10_5281_zenodo_17091109
institution Zenodo
language eng
publishDate 2025
publisher Zenodo
record_format zenodo
spellingShingle Spectacle, Oppression, and Resistance: Class Struggle in Gladiator II through Marxist Criticism
Kusen, Felicia Jessica
Tatemba, Filmorevo Jesse Lincoln
Lie, Jesslyn Quaneisha
Martin, Dominic Thomas
Tambunan, Aubrey Jemima
Sabuin, Kezia Jade Meizie
Gladiator II
Marxism
class struggle
historical materialism
exploitation
<p>This article examines <em>Gladiator II</em> (2024) through the lens of Karl Marx’s theory of class struggle. Using textual and thematic analysis, the study explores how the film portrays structural inequality, labor exploitation, and the emergence of resistance within ancient Roman society. The findings indicate three key results: <strong>1)</strong> the depiction of slavery and gladiatorial combat embodies Marx’s concept of commodification of labor, revealing the economic foundations of Roman spectacle. <strong>2)</strong>, the transformation of Lucius Verus illustrates the development of class consciousness, shifting from individual survival to collective solidarity. <strong>3)</strong>, the film’s portrayal of Rome’s decline demonstrates historical materialism, showing how contradictions in production and power relations lead to social revolution. These insights position <em>Gladiator II</em> not merely as entertainment but as a cultural text that critiques systemic oppression and mirrors contemporary issues such as inequality, corruption, and political dominance. By employing Marxist criticism, the study affirms the relevance of class struggle as both a historical and modern narrative.</p>
title Spectacle, Oppression, and Resistance: Class Struggle in Gladiator II through Marxist Criticism
topic Gladiator II
Marxism
class struggle
historical materialism
exploitation
url https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17091109