Presentation on theme: "The Prince Author: Niccolo Machiavelli Italian (another Florentine) Time: 1513 CE Name to Know: Cesare Borgia."— Presentation transcript:
The Prince Author: Niccolo Machiavelli Italian (another Florentine) Time: 1513 CE Name to Know: Cesare Borgia
Background Son of a lawyer. Received an ordinary literary education; read Latin but no Greek. Loved Roman history; studied law. Became a political writer & theorist. Worked as a clerk, then secretary to the second chancellery of the commune in Florence (14 years).
Practical Experience As secretary & Second Chancellor of Florence, in charge of internal and war affairs, he had knowledge of military & diplomatic matters; went on diplomatic missions. Did not trust mercenaries so he argued for a national militia. He was given the job of forming one and leading it to battle. Did so successfully(1509).
Another Florentine Exile... He lost his position and was exiled from Florence when the republican regime went out of power; forbidden to leave Florentine territory, he was imprisoned and tortured, accused of conspiracy by the new Medici regime. After he was released, he retired with his wife and children, wrote The Prince, among other things. Died in 1527.
Reaction to Change Machiavelli’s life changed drastically when the Medici family took power in Florence. How does he react to this? How would Marie de France judge their reactions to unexpected change, the test of unforeseen events ?
His Importance An historian summed Machiavelli up by saying: ‘Diplomat, historian, dramatist, philosopher; the most cynical thinker of his time, and yet a patriot fired with a noble ideal; a man who failed in everything he undertook, but left upon history a deeper mark than almost any other figure of the Renaissance.’ [Durant]
Machiavelli was an independent and fearless thinker about ethics and politics: - interested in states, not individuals [individuals are simply members of states] - wants to know why states rise & fall - wants to know how to delay state decay
“Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved.”
The Prince A manual teaching how to get and keep political power. The author seeks to persuade readers. The work is powerful for: subject matter subject matter rhetorical & technical brilliance Among the most frequently reprinted books in any language. Dedicated first to Giuliano de’ Medici, then to Lorenzo, his nephew.
The presentation of an ideal character is a Renaissance tendency. Author’s premise: human nature is evil; human nature remains constant over time. Author’s goal: to liberate Italy from both internal warring and foreign oppression.
Qualities of a good ruler War-Wise. A prince must know how to handle the art of war, not only for the gain of territory, but for self-defence and lawful stability as well. Kind hearted: A prince must be noble and kind-hearted in order to be both feared and loved Aware of his surroundings: A prince must have an eye for any developing problems or advantages.
Good Fortune: Half of man’s fate is fortune, the other half is their own will. Observant of the men around him: a good prince keeps a close watch on his servants, subjects, and friends and an even closer watch on his enemies. Overall wisdom: A prince must be wise Avoidant of hatred: A prince cannot lead a nation that hates him.
Keep faith in others to a minimum: Trust is good and well but can be broken over the smallest of greed. Bravery and strength: necessary for any great man.
Machiavelli’s Ideas Rejected the restrictions of honour and religion Rulers should only be concerned with power and should only be bound by rules that make him/her successful Rulers must be skilled in the art of war
Machiavelli’s Ideas Continued Men are evil It is better to be stingy then liberal It is better to be feared then loved Keep your word only when it is too your advantage Known for the saying “ the end justifies the means”
Niccolo Machiavelli Aim/Goals: To what extent are the ideas of Machiavelli alive today? Do Now: Analyze this quote: “It is better to be feared than loved…” In a few sentences what do you think this means?