Shakespeare Vs Machiavelli

Moderns (ACS- 1000)
February 11, 2014
The Political Power of Virtue
Niccolò Machiavelli’s, The Prince, emphasizes the need for realism, as opposed to idealism in order to achieve a functional society. He reveals the principles that a ruler must follow in order to achieve success, and acknowledges reprehensible traits of princes that are just as important for becoming an effective leader. Machiavelli discourages the idea of selfless virtue by supporting the notion that the ends justify the means. Brutus, a character from Shakespeare’s, Julius Caesar, acts virtuously in defeating Caesar, as it was preformed in the hopes of benefiting the state. The quality of virtue contained in a ruler is a focus that both Machiavelli and Shakespeare acknowledge
as vital in order to achieve the betterment of society.
Although uncharacteristic for their time, Machiavelli and Shakespeare both introduce the modern view of society and the necessity of political corruption in order to maintain status and prestige while also preserving the general welfare of society.
Machiavelli emphasizes that it is impossible for the prince to satisfy everybody's expectations in society and therefore it is inevitable that he will disappoint some of his people. In order for a prince not to be virtuous, he must have the notion of the greater good for the people in mind. Machiavelli offers a perspective on the realities and not the ideals of political manipulation and morality. “I have thought it proper to represent things as they are in real truth, rather than as they are imagined…the fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among many who are not virtuous.
Therefore if a prince wants to maintain his rule he must be prepared not to be virtuous, and to make use of this or not according to need” (Machiavelli, 50). This statement is vital for the stability of society and is a critical consideration in Machiavelli’s thought. A well managed republic is characterized by a free, open political culture in which both nobility and the people are engaged. Machiavelli, however, recognizes that disagreement and conflict should not be discouraged completely, but rather seen as essential elements for a flourishing society. “So because a prince cannot practice the virtue of generosity in such a way that he is noted for it, except to his cost, he should if he is prudent not mind being called a miser” (Machiavelli, 52). Machiavelli separated the pursuit of political power from concerns of morality. He does not deny that it is better to be good than evil, rather that if a prince wished to retain his political position, it would sometimes be necessary to do what goes against the wishes of society.
In Shakespeare’s, Julius Caesar, Brutus struggles not with his honor but rather, with his desire to contain the threat of dictatorship from Caesar. Brutus, however, is an honorable man, and does what he believes to be in the best interests of Rome and the Republic. Therefore he takes the initiative to assassinate Caesar in order for the overall benefit of Rome. “If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather that Caesar were living, and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all freemen” (Shakespeare, 117). Just as Machiavelli believed, virtue is good but needs reason; therefore one cannot avoid cruelty if it is ultimately what is best for the state. Together Machiavelli and Shakespeare demonstrate that virtue should have a mean to its end and every action that is made should be for the state. In Caesar, Brutus is recognized for his actions against Caesar as a virtuous act for Rome:
“This was the most noblest Roman of them all.
All the conspirators save only he did that they did in envy of great Caesar. He only in a general honest thought and common good to all made one of them. His life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and sat to all the world ‘This was a man’” (Shakespeare, 209).
Brutus’ actions are supported by Machiavelli’s principle that the ends justify the means. Without ever taking a risk and going against the popular belief, it is impossible to see the potential benefits to come of it. Therefore Machiavelli’s statement can be justified and Brutus’ actions warranted as necessary.
Machiavelli’s presents a clear view of conflict as contributing to the stability of society. This is quite different to the prevailing view of today’s political class, yet is still experienced in everyday politics. Conflict of any sort is actively discouraged, as threatening either the stability or security of our social life. Although highly frowned upon, political forces often take action over the general population through the argument of: for the greater good. Machiavelli and Shakespeare challenged the ideas of morality. “It is far better to be feared than loved” (Machiavelli, 54). As citizens with extreme power and influence during their time, a choice had to be made in order to gain respect. In an ideal state or utopia there would be no violence or crime. Even now, however, it is impossible to accomplish this and
politicians are faced with this inner conflict everyday. Machiavelli was a far advanced author for his time and his ideas often went against the previously thought concepts of morality. On the contrarily this does not necessarily mean that his beliefs were wrong in thought, rather, the unspoken truth of power and politics.
Machiavelli in, The Prince, does not explain what he thinks are the best ethical or political goals, except the control of one's own fortune, as opposed to waiting to see what chance brings. He associated these goals with a need for virtue in a leader, and saw such virtues as essential to good politics and especially the common good. The virtuous prince does what is necessary to achieve his goals, even though sometimes this requires him to act against what are generally considered moral principles. Machiavelli saw more virtue as less reliance on chance and therefore influenced the princes of the time to actually not act virtuously, and rather encouraged ambition and risk taking in order to be considered virtuous in the end. This principle also impacted the characters of Julius Caesar who deemed it necessary to go against the popular ruler of the time, take a risk, and ultimately, for the people, benefit society in the end. Machiavelli and Shakespeare, both considered advanced for their time, discovered a modern way of political thinking and rationalized the statement that the ends do justify the means.