Machiavelli In Modern Times
The fourteenth century was an exciting time in Italy. Liberation from old traditions brought about a new interest in the arts and literature. The church's doctrine was no longer the sole basis of scholarly work. New ideas and concepts started to emerge which were unlike anything heard since the fall of Rome. Amongst the great thinkers of this time was a man by the name of Niccolo Machiavelli. (C4. and Wood, p.510) His most famous work was entitled, The Prince. The book is a compilation of historical examples past and present ( present being the sixteenth century), that were intended to guide a prince on the correct way to control his state. It advocated the use of any means necessary to survive in the political world, even if they were not particularly pleasant. (Strathern, p.6) Despite it's age, I believe that Machiavelli's writing about individualism in The Prince is relevant to people who are not princes because Machiavelli's main themes are applicable to people of all types. To prove this I have organized my paper into four main sections. Section one- Machiavelli's History, will move toward the thesis by showing that Machiavelli's life experience was not that of royalty. Section two- Individualism, will show how Machiavell
If you are born into a family with a business you may be assured a position in business. It takes virtu to maintain that position, but many people receive their position by mere fate. This is oftentimes a problem, that under qualified people are guaranteed a job because of who they are and who they know. (McAlpine, p.27) Machiavelli's individualistic ideas are more common today than ever before. People must choose what car to drive, where to live, or how they want to earn a living. When making these decisions we are mindful of the fact that in the past (and presently in some countries), these and other decisions like them, have been settled by lords, dictators, or tradition. (C3.) All the people on earth are afforded some choices in life, and wishing to live a happier existence, they pose the same question Machiavelli asked three hundred and fifty years ago, which path will give me the greater benefit? (V, p.XIII) Either acting as a friend or enemy of "virtu" is the presence of fortune. In every endeavor we take on as humans, there exists certain factors that cannot be controlled by any man, including those with a vast amount of virtue. Despite Machiavelli's affirmation that the ruler with great talent and intellect is better off than those without, Machiavelli has no choice but to concede to the fact that there is a side to life over which we have little or no control. Although problems arising from variables such as transportation, lack of communication, and many infectious diseases, have diminished considerably with the help of technology, unexpected events occur very often in the modern age. As a result people find themselves in positions regardless of their "virtu." (C2.) The following are themes of The Prince. Machiavelli put his doctrine on paper in the early sixteenth century. In order to determine his relevance to common people today, one must examine these themes very closely. (C2.) "...do like the prudent archers who, the place where they intend to wound seeming too far, and knowing how far the virtu of their bow reaches, aim much higher than the destined place, not to reach such height with their arrow, but in order to be able to attain their design with the aid of such high aim." (Machiavelli, p.21) C2. Grose, Philip. "Form and Structure." Machiavelli On-line. 1999. http://www.kidzone.com/ecc/prince2.htm (16 May 1999)
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Approximate Word count = 2718
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)
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