Machiavelli Essay Research Paper

Machiavelli Essay, Research Paper

“I would rather be in hell and converse with great minds than live in paradise with that dull rabble.” In his life’s writings, Niccolo Machiavelli, sought out the strength of the human character, and wrote according to his own rules; trying to better the political philosophy of his time. Machiavelli, a fiercely independent Renaissance man, advocated the prosperity of Italian politics, and wanted Italy to rise above the rest of the world.

Machiavelli’s writings dealt with many issues that had not been attacked in his time, and utilized his distinct brand of political philosophy to try and change the politics and government that shaped his era. The Prince, regarded as his most controversial and successful work, spelled out a method of amelioration; whether positive or negative, virtuous or severe, a prince was to uphold the strength of a nation and a government. The next few pages will take a closer look at the life that has followed Niccolo Machiavelli, the use of historical allusions and the explicitness used in The Prince.

His Life and Death

Niccolo Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy on May 3rd of 1469. Many changes were taking place faster at this time than the masses could follow. The Renaissance was changing the world. Machiavelli had been born during time of change and subsequently shaped who he was and what he was going to do. Although Italy was the center of the Renaissance, characterized by rebirth of learning and culture, it didn’t have a central government.

Italy was divided up into 4 large city-states that were unfortunately not in control of themselves. They were under the constant mercy of the other more politically stable European governments, which had a central government that unified the nation and solidified the masses in times of war. Florence was controlled by the Medici family, who had been in power for around 50 years (Ridolfi, Roberto, p.5). Piero de’ Medici died the same year that Machiavelli was born and his son Lorenzo took over where his father left off (Ridolfi, Roberto p.6).

The next years of Machiavelli’s life included many dramatic experiences that altered the way that he viewed government. The Medici family was overthrown, and the power of the government changed hands when the French, lead by Louis XII invaded Italy (The Prince p. viii). Through decisions made by the Church and Pope Julius II, the Medici family came back to restore order and take up where they left off. It was through these actions that Machiavelli was viewed as unfit for any type of political position and was forced into exile. The Prince, written in 1513, was started during this time of expulsion in order to once again become in the good graces of the Medici family. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t happen and he wouldn’t return to Florence until 1526, only to die a year later in 1527.

Throughout Machiavelli’s career, he was exposed to a variety of politics; politics of the church, of the Medici family, and politics to stay alive. He had to leave Florence and retire to his country home in San Casciano in order to save his life for his conspiring with the Boscoli-Capponi anti Medicean plot, and recognizing that military (Ruffo-Fiore, Silvia p.v). Machiavelli’s intentions were always in favor of uniting Italy, but his ideas and actions weren’t always seen in that light. He was tortured for conspiracy from this act (Ruffo-Fiore, Silvia, p.v).

In the spirit of his controversial life, Machiavelli’s death engaged marked hostility as well. The Prince was published in 1532 and the many people that read it were taken aback by it. They thought Machiavelli advocated, more or less, a tyrant to control the nation; a prince that was heartless, evil, was disinterested in the good of anything, except himself. This lead to the term Machiavellian, which is equivalent to a corrupt government.

“By a quirk of history, Machiavelli’s

name has come to be associated with a

certain kind of political behaviour,

according to which rulers and politicians

de facto act out of expediency,

disregarding moral rules and conscience,

or with a devilish and manipulative

cunning, which is something else again

(Parel, Anthony, p.158).”

In 1997, rapper Tupac Shakur, released the album titled “Makaveli” which came out shortly before he had been killed (www.tupac.com). The connection to Niccolo Machiavelli comes from what his name is associated with, (www.tupacshakur.com) the powerful man that he advocated in The Prince, and also the misunderstanding that he faked his death to gain power. The rumor created by this album and the subculture that has followed, has misinterpreted Machiavelli’s name once again, and misconstrued his political theories. Machiavelli’s intention of a strong and dominant leader has been transformed by this subculture brought on Tupac Shakur’s album “Makaveli,” and the rumor of faking his apparent death; something that Machiavelli never instigated (http://wwww.magna.com.au/~chrisn/death.htm).

The Prince

The Prince was constructed in 1513 and was dedicated

to Lorenzo de Medici. Machiavelli wrote this not only to be thought of as a civil servant that could be trusted with working with the government, but also as an outline for qualities that a good leader should strive for.