Machiavelli Essay

Prior Knowledge: Niccolo Machiavelli was a state diplomat, during the times of the Hapsburg-Valois wars. As such, his allegiance was constantly shifting. The disarray of the Italian city-states was infuriating to Machiavelli, as he believed that a ruler should be able to govern his own nation. This led to him writing Histories. The Medici family, seeing this as an insult to the

Niccolò Machiavelli was born on May 3, 1469, in Florence, Italy during the Renaissance. He was born into nobility so his childhood was quiet; he received the standard humanistic education popular during the Renaissance, but he always desired to obtain political office. Going into his young adult life, he witnessed the removal of the Medici family and the political conflict that was to follow. At this time, Italy was in political chaos; a number of city-states including Florence, Milan, Venice, and Naples all fought for control of Italy, along with Spain, France, and the Holy Roman Empire. Each one attempted to manipulate one another as to get the upper hand, they resorted to malicious practices such as blackmail and crude violence. These acts heavily influenced Machiavelli’s attitudes toward government, creating the foundation for The Prince.

Niccolo Machiavelli was born on May 3, 1469 in Florence. Machiavelli was considered one of the most controversial political philosophers of his time. Machiavelli began working in the Florence government at a young age, employed as a clerk and later as an ambassador to the “Holy Roman Emperor Maximilan, the King of France and Pope Julius II.” Throughout his employment with the government of Florence, Machiavelli began noticing the effects that one person had over an entire country. In 1513 Machiavelli wrote what would be one of his most renowned works “The Prince,” in which Machiavelli expresses his political ideas of ruling a

Niccolò Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy in 1496. He was a diplomat in Italy 's Florentine Republic for fourteen years. This was during the Medici family exile, and when they returned, Machiavelli was dismissed and shortly imprisoned. After he was released, he wrote The Prince. It was written as a handbook for politicians to follow and is considered the most famous book on politics ever written. Machiavelli is known as the “father of modern political theory.” He died in 1527 in Florence, Italy.

Niccolò Machiavelli was a noticeable figure during the early sixteenth century. He is most famously recognized as the author of The Prince, a handbook for politicians which inspired the term “Machiavellian”. His writing also solidified his position as the father of modern political theory. His political view stemmed from observing the division of Italy into small city-state systems during the late fifteenth century. According to Machiavelli, the success of the city-states was dependent on the effectiveness of the autocrats who headed these states. Through observation, he saw what was necessary for an authoritarian state to be successful. He was bursting with theories, the first being that he believed that the state and its laws were a creation of man that must be protected by the prince. He also argued that conflict could be useful under the organization of a ruler. Another idea that Machiavelli strongly professed, was his thought that men are not equal. His belief was that some men

Before the organization of Italy as a country, it was broken into city-states one of which Machiavelli called home. He was a Florentine and was deeply concerned with how the political governments of Italy worked because the city-states were almost constantly at war with each another. Machiavelli wrote The Prince when the Republic of Florence fell and was replaced by an autocrat

“It is much safer to be feared than loved.” This quotation was just a specimen of the harsh and very practical political annotation of the legendary historian, Niccolò Machiavelli – philosopher, patriot, diplomat, advisor and statesman. He was born as the son of a poor lawyer in 1498, but he never let boundaries restrict him. He still received an excellent humanist education from the University of Florence and was soon after appointed as the Second Chancellor of the Republic of Florence.2 His political importance to Florence would soon give him the opportunity to write what is disputed as one of the most significant works in history, The Prince.

Despite Machiavelli’s tongue-in-cheek perspective, his intentions in writing The Prince exemplify the two-faced nature of mankind. During political upset in Florence, the ruling family betrays Machiavelli himself by temporarily jailing him for treason, stripping him of his political position, and banishing him. Yet unlike Dante, who is more personally affected by his exile, Machiavelli sees Medici family’s return to power as an opportunity to regain his own position, which is why he hopes to impress Lorenzo with The Prince. For him, betrayal is more expected under the circumstances, and so he hopes to play them at their own game. By feigning loyalty and kissing up to Lorenzo, Machiavelli improves his chances of obtaining power, even though he likely doesn’t believe everything he’s saying. For him, his true intentions or beliefs don’t matter—like with religion and betrayal, his deceitfulness is a useful political tool in a world of deceitful men. With the sixteenth-century Florentine power struggle and religious tension, it was difficult for anyone to find stability. While Machiavelli experienced treachery firsthand through being banned from Florence, many Florentines could relate to a general lack of loyalty. During a time of political turmoil, aspiring leaders would have to hurt people in the process of gaining

Niccolio Machiavelli (Born May 3rd, 1469 – 1527 Florence, Italy.) His writings have been the source of dispute amongst scholars due to the ambiguity of his analogy of the ‘Nature of Politics'; and the implication of morality. The Prince, has been criticised due to it’s seemingly amoral political suggestiveness, however after further scrutiny of other works such as The Discourses, one can argue that it was Machiavelli’s intention to infact imply a positive political morality. Therefore the question needs to be posed. Is Machiavelli a political amoralist? To successfully answer this it is essential to analyse his version of political structure to establish a possible bias. It would also be beneficial

Machiavellian, nowadays, is a synonym for someone that is cruel and self-interested. While in reality, Niccolò Machiavelli, a counsellor of Princes during the Florentine Republic, was one of the greatest defenders of people’s liberty and political self-determination. He is depicted in such erroneous ways because his amoral and realist point of view was extremely controversial during the time he lived. Yet, the writer always defended the people and their interests as a whole.

Although the political life of Niccolo Machiavelli is quite interesting when analyzing his views on government and religion, his personal life and experiences were equally a representation of him as a humanist. He was described by some as never offensive and possessing a genuine understanding of human weakness. Niccolo formed a quite

“We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either” This quote by Niccolo Machiavelli, Italian statesman and author, shows that if you are very lucky and end up with one or more advantages, it is reasonable to say that fortune is the reason for your prosperity. If you end up with one or more advantages it is because of your virtues that you can rely on your prosperity. Government and writing are two things that Machiavelli has experience in. Machiavelli’s importance blossomed when he became ruler and secretary of the second ruler of the florentine republic. Later in life, he wrote several books including the book for which he has gained renown, The Prince.

Author’s Identity: Unlike many other previous writers on military thought, Machiavelli was not from pure or noble blood, although he was of enough social status to become literate. Instead, Machiavelli used his intellect to climb the social ladder the highest legs of Italian social order. From 1501 to 1521, Machiavelli worked as an influencer, author, and military leader. Rather than conceal his intellect to avoid prosecution or death, such as within a monastery, Machiavelli balanced a thin line between critical thought and appeasement in his allegorical experiences with Caesar Borgia.

     During Machiavelli’s time, society was much different than it had been for previous philosophers. Instead of storing up good works, so as to enjoy paradise, as the medieval man did, the Renaissance man was interested in all things, enjoyed life, strove for worldly acclaim and wealth, and had a deep interest in classical civilizations. He was born at a time of conflict within Florence, Italy, between the republican leaders and the family of the Medici’s, of which the Machiavelli’s, especially, had a history of opposition towards. After years of conflict between powers, Machiavelli was exiled from his country.

Niccoló Machiavelli is perhaps the greatest political thinker in history. He was a historian, musician, a poet, and he wrote comedies. He liked poetry as much as he liked philosophy. Machiavelli wrote and collected poems. His works, which are inspired by his life experiences, have been read by many of the worlds greatest politicians. Niccoló Machiavelli’s writing was influenced by the Medici family, the Soderini government in Italy, and his own diplomatic career. His great work, The Prince, is legendary for its impact in politics and its controversial proposals.