Essay #15 Machiavelli believed that a leader should possess the ability to heroically and decisively for the good of their country. Machiavelli’s suggestion that a ruler should be like a lion and a fox was fairly true in Europe. Machiavelli uses a lion in comparison to a ruler because he thought a king should be strong and maintain an honest image. He also uses a fox as a symbol to show how a ruler is deceitful.Catherine the Great of Russia and Elizabeth I of England were both like a lion and a fox through their way of handling problems that they confronted during their reign. Elizabeth I of England and Catherine the Great of Russia were both good rulers who had policies against peasants/serfs, foreign countries,and religion. Catherine the Great of Russia had a strong army as well as Elizabeth I of England only difference was that Elizabeth I of England tried to avoid war but secretly encouraged Francis Drake to destroy Spanish fleets. Catherine the Great of Russia used her wisdom to decide when to use her powers to benefit Russia.Catherine the Great of Russia was like a lion because she suppressed the revolt of serfs which made her look strong. Peasants serfs tried to revolt but were not successful due to Catherine the Great of Russia. Another thing that made Catherine very powerful was the Russian military. She gained a large portion of Poland by leaving conquered Danubian area. Catherine the Great of Russia was like a fox because she controlled the nobles. She had earned the nobles loyalty by giving them control of the serfs. Thanks to the support of the nobles Catherine the
great of Russia was able to rule absolutely over Russia.Catherine the Great of Russia was an Enlightened ruler because she installed Enlightened ideas into her absolute monarchy.She met with Enlightenment thinkers Voltaire and Diderot. Elizabeth I of England was able to combine strength with cleverness in order to make England flourish. Elizabeth I