Dante and Machiavelli define opposite sides of the Renaissance in several ways. Certainly the former believes that God will reveal all and call people to account for their behavior‚ while the latter gives every sign of believing in no God and supposing that scrupulous behavior only makes one a target for ruthless exploitation. This difference in the two could be expressed in terms of religious faith—but they could also be said to have differing views of human nature. Try to get to the heart of
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Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527)‚ Italian historian‚ statesman‚ and political philosopher‚ whose amoral‚ but influential writings on statecraft have turned his name into a synonym for cunning and duplicity. Born in Florence on May 3‚ 1469‚ Machiavelli entered government service as a clerk and rose to prominence when the Florentine Republic was proclaimed in 1498. He was secretary of the ten-man council that conducted the diplomatic negotiations and supervised the military operations of the republic
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feared than loved. This is the second quality that Machiavelli gives advise that will make a good ruler. Every prince would want to be considered merciful‚ though he should be careful not to mismanage this clemency of his. Machiavelli point out how Cesare Borgia was cruel‚ yet he was able to provide peace and order to the Romagna. Therefore‚ no prince should mind being called cruel for what he does to keep his subjects united and loyal. Machiavelli believes that a prince should make examples of punishing
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Throughout my reading of Machiavelli‚ a particular selection struck me as very interesting. This comes from Chapter 17 when Machiavelli states‚ “Here a question arises: whether it is better to be loved than feared‚ or the reverse. The answer is‚ of course‚ that it would be best to be both loved and feared. But since the two rarely come together‚ anyone compelled to choose will find greater security in being feared than in being loved. . . . Love endures by a bond‚ which men‚ being scoundrels‚ may
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Fluffy Kilburn Similarities and Differences of Raison d’état and Realpolitik Raison d’état and realpolitik both served as Europe’s dominant political and international philosophies for a considerable time each. Both of these policies were originated by revolutionary men; both helped particular European powers‚ and weakened certain powers as well. Raison d’état came about largely in part by the French Cardinal Richelieu‚ “the father of the modern state system” (Kissinger‚ 58). Prior to
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Life is a power struggle. Throughout life‚ we continuously attempt to gain power over our peers. Marriage is no exception‚ and in Macbeth‚ by William Shakespeare‚ the pursuit of power between Macbeth and his wife is the impetus for a slew of horrific acts. Shakespeare initially characterizes the couple by their swapped gender roles. Where Macbeth appears spineless and impotent‚ his wife appears masculine. Macbeth attempts to gain power by assimilating himself to a life of sordid schemes. Lady Macbeth
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questions of politics and human nature in a unique way‚ but there are definite similarities between his work and the work of earlier philosophers. Hobbes’ political theory coincides with the political theory of Niccolò Machiavelli‚ and yet differs in the theory of virtù. Hobbes follows Machiavelli in some important aspects of political theory‚ and yet expands upon or discards Machiavelli’s ideas in other important aspects. Both men agree that politics directly corresponds to the nature of man and that the
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Machiavelli never thought about how big of an impact and influence‚ The Prince would be. However‚ as history tells the work becomes a major part in the Renaissance and becomes one of the most influential works at that time‚ and becomes the most famous work from Machiavelli‚ in fact more famous and influential than all of his works put together. During the Renaissance‚ the reformation came from ideals or theories of political and social issues. Machiavelli played and participated in very involved
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Machiavelli and Hobbes To be successful‚ one must have the appearance of virtuousness‚ but not necessarily be virtuous. At least‚ this appears to be true according to Niccolo Machiavelli’s works. Machiavelli’s idea of the virtuous republican citizen may be compared to Hobbes’ idea of a person who properly understands the nature and basis of sovereign political power. Hobbes’ ideas seem to suggest that most anyone can claim rightful authority as there is a belief in God‚ and one can under Hobbes
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successfully. Through the clear and simple dialect‚ Machiavelli is able to compose understandable advice on how to have a fruitful reign. To fully support his ideas‚ Machiavelli uses Cesare Borgia’s rule as the prime example. Cesare Borgia’s rule is considered successful in the eyes of Machiavelli. This paper will outline Machiavelli’s points to being a successful ruler through the reign of Cesare Borgia. Machiavelli’s The Prince‚ is a work in which Machiavelli describes the qualities and actions he believed
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