Machiavelli
In the past, many writers and philosophers have concocted stringent guidelines on how humans, as servants of God, should properly conduct themselves. These elite thinkers, such as Augustine and Dante, are deeply religious and vehemently scorn those who stray from the Lord. To them, a life of sacrifices is the only appropriate way to live. Their beliefs have been so deeply imbedded in the morale of society that anyone who opposes them is destined for ridicule. However, despite the good odds of criticism against such ideas, a newer breed of writers in the middle ages began to preach ideas of pragmatism: a kind of partial morality. One such writer is Niccolo Machiavelli, who, in The Prince and in the play "Mandragola," preaches synonymous controversial ideas against his society's Catholic norms. Christine De Pizan preaches similar unique ideas in A Medieval Woman's Mirror of Honor: The Treasury of the City of Ladies, when she appears to teach Catholicism but rather contradi!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
Therefore, the only suitable way for a prince to come to power is by the use of violent force and aggression. This quote may as well be taken from The Prince: it is the exact ideal that Mac!hiavelli outlines. ------------------------------------------------------------------------**Bibliography**. At the same time, Lucrezia and her family desperately want a child, but Nicia cannot produce one. Machiavelli believes that gaining the throne in such a way causes much unnecessary "exertion" for a prince (21). Morality and virtue need not apply to one seeking a desirable mean, as long as the mean is meant to be good. he could not have conducted himself other that the way he did" (26). His ends justified his means, just as Machiavelli described in The Prince. In The Prince, Machiavelli systematically discusses the proper edicate to which a prince should adhere if he wants to be successful. She contradicts herself again with the notion of gaining protection by giving gifts to the clergy. 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. These contradictions, which I have already discussed, thus spoil the reader's ability to make a final decision on what the work, as a whole, is trying to preach. 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).
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