Author Bio: Nicholas Machiavelli was a humanist, politician, writer, historian, diplomat, and philosopher in Florence, Italy from 1469-1527. He was one of the founders of political science, specifically, political ethics. He worked as a diplomat in Florence during the time when the Medici family was exiled from the city. His most famous work, The Prince, underlines the importance of a harsh ruler. Machiavelli's tactics, today, are generally identified with immoral and unethical actions.
Speaker: See above.
Date/Context: During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the Italian city-states lacked the unity of larger nation-states like France, thus, putting them at a great disadvantage. Also, the papal authority warred with the Italian city-states over secular and spiritual issues. The Church actually condemned Machiavelli's methods as the work of Satan.
Summary: This primary document is composed of excerpts from the most important parts of The Prince. The first section, "On Those Who Hae Become Princes by Crime," focuses on those who have come into power using force. He recommends that pain/suffering be administered all at once, while good things be distributed in parts. A prince should also maintain a relationship with his subjects that does not allow for the interference of unforeseen events with his ultimate goal. The second second, "On Cruelty and Mercy," hones in on the use of force in order to gain respect or cause fear. He argues that it is better to be feared than loved because men will be loyal to a man they love only until danger approaches. However, the prince should make himself feared in a way that does not cause hatred; justification for actions that cause fear must always be present. The final excerpt, "How a Prince Should Keep His Word," covers the topic of integrity. Machiavelli emphasizes the use of rationalization as both a man and a beast. At times, a prince will need to act as a fox, other times a lion. On the other hand, a man always need a legitimate reason to break any type of promise. Additionally, how a prince is seen by most people plays a role in his popularity. As long as more people see him, they will convince the majority of their opinions, rather than those that actually perceive his ill or misleading intentions.
Key Quotations:
"You must know there are two means of fighting:one according to the laws, the other with force; the first way is proper to man, the second to beasts; but because the first, in many cases, is not sufficient, it becomes necessary to have recourse to the second."
One of Machiavelli’s key points is to not play by the preordained rules. Those rules are predictable and do not allow for a prince to reach his full to potential which is his duty to the state. A prince must also follow the rules. Basically, Machiavelli is saying that a prince needs to do whatever he can to benefit his land the most. Secondly, a prince needs to help his land in such a way that people are constantly satisfied with his rule. Machiavelli recommends endearing the hearts of people in the correct way and not by throwing numerous gifts at them in a single spell but extending the time in which those gifts are given. A third key point to Machiavelli’s excerpts is that people must see other for how they truly are. Throughout the excerpt, he points out flaws in humans such as greed and the unforgivingness of many families; he suggests that princes must also do this to succeed on the throne.
ReplyDeleteCaroline did a very good job overall. To criticize, the context section, offered in detail before the passage, could be expanded upon in this PDP. Along with that, the final line of the biography could probably be placed in that section. Second, there could be one or two more key quotations especially from the end of the excerpt. Finally, the biography could be expanded upon especially in the time period concerning why Machiavelli wrote this. Context concerning the push that caused him to write such a critical piece would be helpful. All in all, it was an excellent job though.
Well done! It is also important to note that Machiavelli is considered to be the first Italian nationalist. He called for the Italian city-states to put their differences aside to unify against foreign invaders. More recent critics also argue that "The Prince" may have been written as a "political satire."
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