Analysis of Machiavelli's The Prince

In the final analysis, then, force, prudence, and justice are the foundations of the political order." ... In "The Prince," Machiavelli claims that "I say that every prince ought to wish to be considered kind rather than cruel. ... Machiavelli follows with "a prince, therefore, must be indifferent to the charge of cruelty if he is to keep his subjects loyal and united. ... Machiavelli says that "disorders harm the entire citizenry, while the executions ordered by a prince harm only a few individuals." ... God the King The worldly characteristics of Machiavelli's prince are in contrast wit...

• Word Count: 3087
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Machiavelli's The Prince - More than Meets the Eye Although very short and concisely written, Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince can be considered the first and definitive work of modern political philosophy. ... At first look, Machiavelli's logical guide for the preservation of a prince's power seems to be an amoral approach to politics. ... However, there is much more to The Prince than such a superficial analysis of Machiavelli's political philosophy. To fully understand what Machiavelli wanted to say with The Prince, its historical and political contexts mus...

• Word Count: 2510
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

On this occasion he began the observation and analysis of national political forces, which were to find expression in his diplomatic reports. ... During his diplomatic career Machiavelli enjoyed one outstanding success. ... It was through these discussions that the concept of The Prince took form. ... In reality, the Prince provided a clear and objective historical perspective on actions that already were implemented by governments and rulers for many generations. As Machiavelli wrote in chapter XV, "It remains now to see what ought to be the rules of conduct for a prince towar...

• Word Count: 2714
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School

Most notable among the Greek philosophers who inspired Machiavelli was Plato. ... Machiavelli argued against this Platonic philosophy. ... Machiavelli believes that a Prince's main duty is the preservation of his country and the protection of his subjects. "A prince, therefore should have no care or thought but for war, and the regulations and training it requires, and should apply himself exclusively to this as his peculiar province; for war is the sole art looked for in one who rules" . ... Machiavelli's Republic Considering Machiavelli's concepts of virtu and the func...

• Word Count: 4508
• Approx Pages: 18
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Under close scrutiny, The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli is seen to be a mind-baffling construct of many levels of meaning, and, many might say, enigmatically so. ... And as Plato asserts the "tripartite soul" with distinct separations (both in the individual and the society), so does Machiavelli assert, in my own words, the separation of the prince into three certain realms: the person (of the prince), his persona, and his policy. ... And, of course, most frequent of all was Machiavelli's emphatic comment that a new prince could only manage ! ... In the final analysis, virtu and fortu...

• Word Count: 1699
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

This is in line with Machiavelli's general conclusion: fortune and ability must be aligned for a prince to succeed. ... Machiavelli examines the case of Cesare Borgia and concludes that a prince can have great abilities and still be ruined by fortune. ... Chapter 14 Fortune 6: Machiavelli states that a prince should never rest from military thought. ... Chapter 18 Fortune 7: Machiavelli advises that a prince should be only as good as circumstances allow. ... (Notice that this is not the case of finding yourself incapable of keeping a promise originally made in good faith, which wo...

• Word Count: 2468
• Approx Pages: 10

Analysis of Shakespeare's Othello & Machiavelli's The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince serves as a guideline to attain and remain successful in power. ... Machiavelli's The Prince was seen as a set of instructions inspired by his experiences dealing with war and revolt. ... Machiavelli concludes, "every prince shall wish to be thought compassionate, not cruel...however a new prince cannot possibly avoid the name of cruel...... Machiavelli also states "...he [the prince] can observe it, but know how to adopt what is bad, when he is obliged to...(1717)" In realit...

• Word Count: 1458
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography

These deliberate omissions have come to be a defining staple in the works of Machiavelli. ... Machiavelli provides an express interest in the topic of ingratitude in the republic. ... Establishing a good order of the soul takes time which Machiavelli doesn't believe is available. ... Though in practice Machiavelli deviates away from this idea, it is not to say that he has rejected justice outright. ... Machiavelli consistently describes injustice and ingratitude in light of suspicions, of both princes and the people. ...

• Word Count: 2733
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

-The Commonwealth of Oceana Here we see James Harrington using Machiavelli as the authority for Harrington's assertions on agrarian law. This is not the only time we see Machiavelli cited as the authority on a piece of political theory, especially those concerning the republican school. Rousseau also uses Machiavelli, although in a different way. ... As Rousseau says at the start of Du Contrat social: If I were a prince or a legislator, I would not waste my time saying what has to be done. ... Thus the nature of political theory has changed from an conversation, based on the on the ded...

• Word Count: 1857
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate