ipl-logo

The Prince Machiavellian Essay

899 Words4 Pages

To determine whether Machiavelli was Machiavellian, the term must be first defined. “Machiavellian”, today, is synonymous with the words immoral, cutthroat, manipulating, and cunning. Somebody who acts Machiavellian, acts in an immoral fashion for personal gain. Using today’s common definition for the term, it can be concluded that Machiavelli was not “Machiavellian,” for he does not act in behalf of his personal gain, nor was he immoral or cutthroat. On a superficial level, The Prince is a manual for tyrants; on a deeper level its Machiavelli's call to the leaders of Italy to bring order and unification. And even more so, its a warning to the people of Italy about the power of governments. If read straightforward The Prince is manual for ambitious men on how to become a tyrant, however, if one takes the context in which it was written, The Prince reads very different. Machiavelli was a long time diplomat, having spent time in various courts, and thus had much experience and understanding of politics. He writes, “I depart from the orders of others … it has appeared to me more convenient to go after the effective truth of the thing rather then …show more content…

The famous quote, “it is much more secure to be feared than to be loved”(ch.XVII) has been to used to demonstrate ruthlessness of Machiavelli, but he goes on to say that the prince “escape hatred” by “[keeping] himself from his citizens' and his subjects possessions, and from their women.”(ch.XVII) Machiavelli reasoning for it being bettered to be feared is men are “ungrateful” and “fickle” and will leave when the prince is in need. He gives the example of Scipio. The reason Scipio's armies rebelled against him, Machiavelli notes, “sprang from nothing other than his excessive mercy”(ch.XVII). Being loved will result in disorder, and tear apart the state as the prince loses

Show More
Related

  • Why Is The Prince A Devoidedly Unmedieval Piece Of Work

    456 Words  | 2 Pages

    Is it better to be loved than feared, or feared than loved? This was a famous question that Machiavelli commented on in this book. He believed

    Read More

  • The Prince Rhetorical Analysis

    676 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Niccolo Machiavelli's book, The Prince (1513), he evaluates on how a prince can be a successful leader. Machiavelli’s purpose of this guidebook was to construct his argument to the rising ruler Giuliano de Medici for when he comes to power in Florence. He adopts a casual but authoritative tone in order to convince the prince that Machiavelli’s evaluation on how to be the best prince, is the right thing for the prince to do without coming off as he knows more than the prince or is trying to intimidate him.. Machiavelli’s reference to previous rulers and whether their tactics failed or succeeded helps to benefit his credibility along with his allusion to historic text. He appeals to our logic by simply stating a prince can only do what is within his power to control, and his use of an analogy furthers his argument.

    Read More

  • Thomas Jefferson And Niccolo Machiavelli's The Morals Of The Prince

    762 Words  | 4 Pages

    Machiavelli argues the perfect prince will be both feared and loved by his people, and if unable to be both he will make himself feared and not hated. Machiavelli believes it is much safer to be feared than to be loved because people are less likely to offend and stand up against strong characters, also people are less concerned in offending a prince who has made himself loved. Accordingly, Machiavelli believes generosity is harmful to your reputation and the choice between being generous or stingy, merciful or cruel, honest or deceitful, should only be important if it aids the prince in political power. All in all, Machiavelli believes the ruler must be a great deceiver and do what is essential to uphold power over the

    Read More

  • Machiavelli The Prince Rhetorical Devices

    674 Words  | 3 Pages

    Machiavelli wrote The Prince in 1513, a time when Italy as a whole had yet to be formed; the Italian subcontinent consisted only of loosely connected groups of independent city states with a constantly evolving political battleground. Thus Machiavelli wrote The Prince to convey his idea of a strong, active, and in his own eyes, perfect ruler to the current ruling family, the Medici, as he wished to impress them and become an eventual political attaché for the family. Machiavelli argues that when given a choice it is better to be feared than loved, and bases the majority of his rhetorical argument on logical cause and effect conclusions that are exemplified through his use of anecdotes, and analogy. The excerpt begins at chapter fifteen with Machiavelli stating that he writes the prince in order to “make something useful for whoever understands it” (Machiavelli ch.15), and he expounds upon this simple purpose by devising clear and logical solutions to many of the problems that a ruler may face.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Niccólo Machiavelli's The Prince

    1519 Words  | 7 Pages

    In the book, Machiavelli believes in the idea of having a strong dominant leader, in order to preserve the benefits to the citizens as a group instead of individually. This strategy clearly shows in chapter seventeen where Machiavelli points out that every prince would prefer to be loved than to be feared. However, the two rarely co-existed. If one had to choose, it is not only better to be feared than to be loved but it is also much “safer” looking at it realistically. By safer, it means that you will not have to worry and watch out as much since people will be less likely to conspire against someone they fear than someone they love.

    Read More

  • Qualities Of A Good Man In Machiavelli's The Prince

    1284 Words  | 6 Pages

    In Machiavelli’s book, The Prince, he maintains a harsh perspective on reality. His advice on how to maintain power leaves no room for compassion or generousity. While some may believe that these are qualities of a good person, Machiavelli believes these qualities lead to the downfall of rulers. He acknowledges that, in reality, it is impossible for someone to have qualities of a good person and simultaneously a good ruler. Machiavelli’s realistic outlook causes him to emphasize that it is better to maintain power through fear, rather than compassion.

    Read More

  • Machiavelli The Prince Rhetorical Analysis

    628 Words  | 3 Pages

    Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian Renaissance writer and diplomat. He wrote “The Prince”, and he expresses several characteristics which he believes are important to be a successful leader. Such as, being feared rather than loved, not revealing the entire and/or real reason they’re doing something unless it’s somehow advantageous to them, being duplicitous, and being narcissistic. I disagree with these opinions. First of all, Machiavelli claims it is better to be feared rather than loved.

    Read More

  • The Prince In The Year Of 1513

    571 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Prince in the year of 1513. This was a prime example of power and fear since it was created as a guide for rulers of the Italian city states. Within his Machiavelli’s text, he states that it is better to be feared rather than being loved. He believed that people would betray those that were loved, but would not dare to betray a feared ruler. Machiavelli viewed humans as greedy and selfish.

    Read More

  • Age Of Absolutism Dbq Essay

    930 Words  | 4 Pages

    Machiavelli wrote about a fictitious prince, describing how he is a terrible being who has no respect for people who have a lower status than him. He is described as being selfish and untrustworthy. His writing about this prince was supposed to replicate princes and kings that were ruling and open he reader’s eyes to real issues occuring. In Document 1 there is an excerpt from The Prince, written by Machiavelli, telling about how terrible the Prince of England. Document 1 states, “For all men in general this observation may be made: they are ungrateful, fickle, and deceitful, eager to avoid dangers, and avid for gain, and while you are useful to them they are all with you, but when it [danger] approaches they turn on you”.

    Read More

  • Comparing Machiavelli's The Prince And The Discourses

    1492 Words  | 6 Pages

    The best place to begin for this where he answered the question which is better to be loved or feared Love or Fear Which is to be better loved or feared? This question is an important one and Machiavelli answer for it is great. “One ought to be both feared and loved, but as it is difficult for the two to go together, it is much safer to be feared than loved” (Machiavelli 61). This leads to one of his core beliefs which is that, he believes humans are awful creatures and will seek out

    Read More

  • Machiavelli's Use Of Lying And Deception In Politics

    954 Words  | 4 Pages

    One aspect of Machiavelli’s theory which significantly contributes to his reputation as the “philosopher of evil,” is his advice to the prince on keeping their word to the public. In chapter eighteen, Machiavelli states, “a wise ruler cannot, and should not, keep his word when doing so is to his disadvantage, and when the reasons that led him to promise to do so no longer apply” (pg. 37). To simplify, Machiavelli says princes are obligated to lie in certain circumstances. He also states that while it is unnecessary for the prince to have positive qualities, such as honesty, trustworthiness, sympathy, compassion, or be religious, it is essential for the prince to be viewed so by the public (pg. 37). While many people argue that Machiavelli’s legitimization of lying and deception in politics is immoral, I argue the opposite.

    Read More

  • Erasmus Vs Machiavelli

    1034 Words  | 5 Pages

    Both of these highly influential authors had different opinions on ruling that would shape how people would rule during their time and for rulers to come. One of Machiavelli’s major points in The Prince was that it was better to be feared than to be loved. He said this was because while both ways can be useful tools to help one rule, men are less likely to turn a ruler if they were afraid of punishment. Machiavelli had little faith in the common man and had this to say about them, “They are ungrateful, fickle, deceptive and deceiving, avoiders of dangers, eager to gain”(pg.353).

    Read More

  • The Failure Of Leadership In Machiavelli's The Prince

    981 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Prince, written by Machiavelli, is a candid outline of how he believes leaders gain and keep power. Machiavelli uses examples of past leaders to determine traits that are necessary to rule successfully. Leaders such as the King of Naples and the Duke of Milan lacked military power, made their subjects hate them, or did not know how to protect themselves from the elite, causing them to lose power. He says that these rulers should blame laziness, not luck, for their failures. By looking at these historical successes and failures, Machiavelli is able to develop his own thoughts on how politics and leaders should be in the future.

    Read More

  • Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince

    497 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Prince was written by Niccolo Machiavelli in the 18th century. The book describes the perfect ruler. This piece was written in honor of Lorenzo De Medici, to gain the Medici family’s favor. Even though at the end of the book Machiavelli is basically graveling and praising Medici, the reader can sense Machiavelli’s mockery of patriarch and nobility. It is a very reasonable conclusion that Machiavelli does not like the monarchy, however he wishes to return to the city and work so he can provide for his family.

    Read More

  • Machiavelli: The Characteristics Of Being A Good Prince

    1526 Words  | 7 Pages

    I. Machiavelli In his famous work the Prince Niccolo Machiavelli exposes what it takes to be a good prince and how only this good price and keep control over his state. There are many different qualities that make a man a good ruler but there are some that are more essential than others. In this work Machiavelli stresses the importance of being a warrior prince, a wise prince, and knowing how to navigate the duality of virtù and vices. Without these attributes there was no way that a prince could hold together their state and their people.

    Read More

More about The Prince Machiavellian Essay

Open Document