cts herself by encouraging pragmatism. Both writers give identical and realistic guidelines, rather than religious guidelines, to how one should act in society. De Pizan's overall work, however, is confusing in comparison to Mach

ain when she stresses the importance of having, and obtaining, protection. Protection will cause people to "praise her judgment and her ability to manage her affairs," as well as shield her from "envious people [who] machinate against her" (109). With this in mind, she irreligiously preaches the medieval woman to give gifts to the clergy in order to have "the good and devout [the clergy] pray on her behalf," and "praise her in sermons and other public discourses, so that their voices can be a necessary shield and defense against the murmurs and false reports of her jealous defamers" (108). Once again she justifies this immoral act because "Justifiable hypocrisy is necessary for princes and princesses who must rule over others and thus be accorded more respect for others. Moreover, expedient hypocrisy is not unworthy for others desiring honor, as long as they practice it for worthy ends" (109). This quote may as well be taken from The Prince: it is the exact ideal that Mac!

is so wide that a man who neglects what is actually done for what

Machiavelli's morale is extremely down to earth. To him, morality is simply a tool for a prince to be used and discarded for the prince's own objectives. Likewise, he scorns those rulers who gain power by "rely[ing] on the goodwill and fortune of those who have elevated them... both these are capricious, unstable things" (21). Machiavelli believes that gaining the throne in such a way causes much unnecessary "exertion" for a prince (21). Therefore, the only suitable way for a prince to come to power is by the use of violent force and aggression. He lauds rulers who have retained power effortlessly by quick aggression, and criticizes those who have retained it tenuously in their attempts to be virtuous (21-22). He also believes that the use of deception is necessary in achieving and holding power, which he describes when he says, "if a prince wants to maintain his rule he must learn not to be so virtuous" (50). According to Machiavelli, since it is the prince's best inter!

It is clear that Machiavelli's works are more convincing than Christine De Pizan's. A Medieval Woman's Mirror of Honor: The Treasury of the City of Ladies, like any form of writing, can be deemed ineffectual due to the author's contradictions. It can also be said, however, that the reason Machiavelli is more compelling than De Pizan is because of his harsh view of the world. He describes men as "ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers, they shun danger and are greedy for profit" (Machiavelli 54). He further criticizes men by saying, "They would shed blood for you, risk their property, their lives, their sons, so long... as danger is remote; but when you are in danger they turn away" (54). This perspective is the driving force for Machiavelli's rebellion of Catholic beliefs. He obviously does not agree with the central Catholic princ

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Approximate Word count = 1943
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)