Machiavelli
Italy was divided between four dominant city-states, and each of these was continually at the mercy of the stronger foreign government of Europe. Since 1434 the wealthy Medici family ruled Florence. Due to a reform movement, Medici rule was temporarily interrupted in 1434, in which Machiavelli became an important diplomat. The Medici family regained power in 1512 with the help of Spanish troops. At this time, Machiavelli was tortured and removed from public life. While being in political exile, he wrote a letter to his nephew. It was said to be "the most famous letter ever written by an Italian, shows how the hours spent each day in his study helped to bring a measure of balance and even exhilaration into his life as a whole"(Hale, 147). At this point Machiavelli is beginning his philosophies about the nature of princely rule, eventually, leading him to create, "The Prince." Nicocolo Machiavelli in 1513 wrote his masterpiece, The Prince, which remains one of the single mo!st important works in history. To this day scholars struggle over interpreting Machiavelli's precise point. For the next 10 years he devoted himself to writing history, political philosophies and even plays.
Machiavelli suggests to master fear, as it is a part of men's nature, where as love is harder to obtain as it takes a long time to build up such affection from others. His focus in The Prince is on monarchies. During this time he was put in exile. Machiavelli was recognized and famous for writing the Prince and the controversy behind his work left him as a legacy. Sullivan, Machiavelli's Three Romes (Dekalb, Illinois: Northern Illinois University Press,1996), 21-23. Machiavelli's views thus offer perspectives on ethical realities and ethics from an angle of power and pragmatism. The advises Machiavelli offers to princes are lessons in critical thinking. Therefore, Machiavelli wanted readers to learn and gain a better understanding on specific methods of victorious rule. Paul Sonnino, The Prince: Niccolo Machiavelli (New Jersey: Humanities Press, 1996), 33,89-91,120. The Prince was written and completed by Machiavelli in observation to Italy's persistent political problems and emergence of a new rule in Florence. He says that, "fear is sustained by a dread of punishment that is always effective" (Mousley 166). He was well known not only as a political figure but also having incredible ability to write.
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