This semester in Mr. Sellers’ History class, we were asked to read a history novel and write a book review on it. I chose to read The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli, and it sure did not disappoint. For a book on history, it was not so bad. The two parts to this review include a summary and a critical analysis. This paper will discuss the major points Machiavelli made in his book and analyze his tone and writing style, with an overall critique. The Prince is a novel written in 1513 by Niccolo Machiavelli. This book contains 26 chapters, focusing on acquiring and maintaining political power. In other words, it could be seen as the “do’s and don’ts” of the political world. In Chapters One through Eleven, the author discusses the different types of states or principalities. In Chapters Twelve through Fourteen, the different armies and how the prince would act as a military leader are covered while Chapters fifteen through twenty three discuss his behavior and character expectations. Lastly, Chapters twenty four through twenty six discuss Italy’s horrendous political situation. The four principalities mentioned in the first eleven chapters are: hereditary, mixed, new, and ecclesiastical (religious). Hereditary principalities are inherited by the ruler of the land. Mixed principalities are additional territories added to the ruler’s land. New principalities are attainable in multiple ways. They can be obtained by one’s own power or the power of others. However, criminal acts or extreme cruelty can also end up in the acquisition of a new principality. In some cases, new principalities are civic principalities, which are given by the will of the people. Ecclesiastical principalities, however, belong to the Catholic Church. The... ... middle of paper ... ...tely think of a “Rising to Power for Dummies” type of book). It gives much insight on the way people used to think. From the way the governments used to work, to the ways militaries operated, to the “do’s” and “don’ts” of the political world. It almost seems as if Machiavelli has an “every man for himself” attitude as well. From reading the book, I can guess he has a strong opinion on maintaining stability and power to be successful. I would suggest the book to anyone considering a political career in order to see different viewpoints on political ideas from another time period. There are some points the author makes that can be applied today, but there are others that are cruel and offensive and should not even be looked at when considering the way a government should be run. Works Cited Machiavelli, Niccolo. The Prince. New York: Bantam Classics, 2003. Print.
Niccolò Machiavelli was a man who lived during the fourteen and fifteen hundreds in Florence, Italy, and spent part of his life imprisoned after the Medici princes returned to power. He believed that he should express his feelings on how a prince should be through writing and became the author of “The Qualities of a Prince.” In his essay, he discusses many points on how a prince should act based on military matters, reputation, giving back to the people, punishment, and keeping promises. When writing his essay, he follows his points with examples to back up his beliefs. In summary, Machiavelli’s “The Qualities of a Prince,” provides us with what actions and behaviors that a prince should have in order to maintain power and respect.
Many would agree and say that Machiavelli's ideas can definetly be used in todays society. Especially with the leaders we have today such as presidents , mayors , government etc., as well as the allies and its allies. American has one of the best army so if other countries are in trouble and we are their "allies" , they can benefit off that and ask for help from a good army system. So this goes to show that you cant trust even your friends because you dont know if they are just with you to eat off your success and power. This would apply with a leader trying to gain power and maintain it because a person who is trying to maintain power shouldnt have someone who will bring Another way in how Machiavelli's ideas can take part in todays world is when dealing with politics.
"The Prince," written by Niccolo Machiavelli in 1513, is a political treatise addressed to the Medici family of Florentine. "The Prince" was written to analyze and explain the acquisition, perpetuation, and use of political power in the west. Machiavelli’s theories in the work describe methods that an aspiring prince could possibly use to acquire power, or an existing prince could use to keep power. Though this work was written in 1513 and published in 1532, its context can be applied to foreign policy in today’s world. The principles suggested by Machiavelli provide insight into the issues that arose with the war on Iraq and issues involved with occupation and transition to a new government.
Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince is a book of philosophy that suggests or condemns various methods to ascend as a prince and ways to rule newly acquired principalities. In order to convince the readers, Machiavelli integrates different forms of logical arguments, including syllogism and enthymeme.
Machiavelli discusses assertive and bold ideas in “The Prince,” revealing his radical and courageous nature. His treatise is deceptively self-soliciting, because he disguises his extreme notions behind a veil of feigned expertise. His frank approach makes him appear confident and deserving of the utmost respect; however, he cautiously humbles himself by pouring immense flattery for the ruling prince into his work and, in doing so, assures protection for himself and his notorious ideas.
Machiavelli is undisputedly one of the most influential political philosophers of all time. In The Prince, his most well-known work, he relates clearly and precisely how a decisive, intelligent man can gain and maintain power in a region. This work is revolutionary because it flies in the face of the Christian morality which let the Roman Catholic Church hold onto Europe for centuries. Machiavelli's work not only ignores the medieval world's ethics: The Prince suggests actions which oppose the four most basic of Christianity's Ten Commandments.
Machiavelli, Niccolò, and Robert Martin Adams. "Chapter 17." The Prince: A Revised Translation, Backgrounds, Interpretations, Marginalia. New York: Norton, 1992. 46. Print.
Machiavelli’s The Prince was written more than 500 years ago and it is “one of the most influential and controversial books published in Western literature.” (Article A) It was about Machiavelli’s political philosophies and the basic principles of what he believes a politician or “prince” should be. The three main ideas of the Prince were “Liberality and Stinginess”, “Cruelty and Mercy: Is It Better to Be Loved Than Feared, or the Reverse?”, and “How a Prince Should Keep Their Promises” and for the most part many of his concepts should or are already instilled in our government.
First, Machiavelli argues in The Prince that there are only two kinds of states, republics and principalities. Machiavelli does not speak about republics but instead he dedicated the Prince to principalities. He divides principalities into two categories: hereditary and new. Hereditary principalities are the current state which the prince rules. Machiavelli states that hereditary states are easier to control and maintain because the people are accustom to prince’s rule.
“Knowledge is power. Power to do evil...or power to do good. Power itself is not evil. So knowledge itself is not evil” (Veronica Roth). Machiavelli is providing all of his knowledge that is useful for aspiring or current rulers. The information is also helpful to understand how Machiavelli was truly thinking during his time in power. He has experienced many things that have persuaded him to think the way he does. He has a specific mindset when it comes to certain ideals. Machiavelli presents some views that are remarkably different from other individuals when considering human nature including the desires and justice, the decency of the people, and virtues of a prince.
“The Prince”, by Niccolo Machiavelli, is a series of letters written to the current ruler of Italy, Lorenzo de’ Medici. These letters are a “how-to” guide on what to do and what not to do. He uses examples to further express his views on the subject. The main purpose was to inform the reader how to effectively rule and be an acceptable Prince. Any ruler who wishes to keep absolute control of his principality must use not only wisdom and skill, but cunning and cruelness through fear rather than love. Machiavelli writes this book as his summary of all the deeds of great men.
Niccolò Machiavelli was born into a world of drastic change, Renaissance Italy, that would cause his mind to conjure ideas about many political issues transferred into books that the entire world has profited from since. His ideas were incredibly relevant to his time, because they suggested harsh governments, the only kind of governments that seemed to be working. He proposed creating these harsh governments through a separation of personal morality and political behavior. His ideas were so relevant and so universal, that they still influence politics today. Niccolò Machiavelli proposed the creating of strong central government more powerful than anything else, including religion and morality.
Machiavelli, Niccolò. The Prince. Robert M. Adams, trans., ed. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1977. pp. vii.-75.
Machiavelli has long been required reading for everyone intrested in politics and power. In The Prince Niccolo M
Strauss, Leo. Machiavelli’s Intention: The Prince . Ed. Leo Strauss. N.p., 1958. Web. 1 Dec. 2010. .