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Machiavelli's Creation Of The Golden Calf

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Machiavelli had a great appreciation for Moses and the methods he used to retain his power, specifically in Exodus 32 where Moses punishes his people for the creation and worship of the Golden Calf. Machiavelli believes that violence is necessary for a leader to hold onto their power, “…all armed prophets have conquered, and the unarmed ones have been destroyed.” (6). Without a leader taking up arms it allows for others to usurp them and gain control. Moses goes so far to say “…. Put every man his sword on his thigh… and each man kill his brother and each man his fellow and each man his kin.’” (Ex 32:27-28) which results in some 3,000 Levites being slaughtered.
In addition, the specific reason behind Machiavelli supporting Moses takes up in arms, is that he is killing his potential rivals, and therefore doing it for the good of the group. Machiavelli believed that the creation of the Golden Calf was by those that were envious of Moses, that this creation of an idol was done to regain some control over the group. If his rivals could create a different god, one that favored themselves instead of Moses and was more palatable for the people, they could now become the chosen leader, and cast out Moses. This would allow them to gain control of a vast number of people, that now that Moses has done the extremely difficult work of …show more content…

Moses against his own to set up a system of law, and Romulus against his brother. The only difference that Machiavelli mentions between the two is that Moses has the divine word of God, it is God that has made the laws, and he who is the true king. “…he having been a mere executor of the will of God, yet he ought to be admired, if only for that favour which made him worthy to speak with God.” (ch6), Machiavelli refers to God as the best teacher, who Moses was incredibly lucky to have. While Romulus does not have

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The main point made by Machiavelli was that men are inherently bad, so a leader must rule in a way that takes this into account. He taught that because of man’s ungratefulness, it is safer to be feared than loved (D-4). This shows that Machiavelli believed that the power and success of a country will lead to the prosperity of its inhabitants. Both influential people believed that a country prospers the most under absolute power.

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His mindset was simple. to manifest dismay and use the overwhelming power as a dictator. His intentions are clear, and his words are powerful. With a combination of rhetorical devices, a symphony of teachings are made and preached. Machiavelli is a strong advocate to use fear to herd together the common man, he begins his argument by asking a simple question, “ Here the question… safer than to be loved”.

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Machiavelli argues the perfect prince will be both feared and loved by his people, and if unable to be both he will make himself feared and not hated. Machiavelli believes it is much safer to be feared than to be loved because people are less likely to offend and stand up against strong characters, also people are less concerned in offending a prince who has made himself loved. Accordingly, Machiavelli believes generosity is harmful to your reputation and the choice between being generous or stingy, merciful or cruel, honest or deceitful, should only be important if it aids the prince in political power. All in all, Machiavelli believes the ruler must be a great deceiver and do what is essential to uphold power over the

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Relating Machiavelli's Political Theory to Creon and His Ruling Style In Antigone Creon in conversation with Hæmon laments “Am I [as a king] to rule this land after some other will than mine” (Sophocles 28). This of course falling on our western postmodern ears is completely juxtaposed to our understanding that the government exists to serve us. While this statement is less shocking for people who live in less “developed” western world it is most certainly something machiavelli would have heard in his era. In fact our perception of leadership and monarchy has shifted exponentially more in the 500 years between the prince and now than the 1,900 years that separated Machiavelli from Sophocles, therefore it is reasonable to assume any of the

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In The Prince (1532), Machiavelli lists elements a prince should have. The biggest thing Machiavelli cautions against is breeding hatred. He claims that “[…] a wise prince should establish himself on that which is in his own control and not in that of others; he must endeavor only to avoid hatred” (Machiavelli 82). Hatred will lead to loss of control. If the civilians hate the prince, then they have control over him.

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Machiavelli generally believes that laws are good when followed naturally from a good military. He even states that war is necessary and is generally the cause of states that are well-formed and successful. Throughout the book, the idea of a good war is created along with how to fortify cities, treat newly found humans in new territories, and to prevent problems with domestic politics. He also believes that more than just the military is needed throughout a war. International diplomacy, geography, history, and tactical strategy are all described by the author.

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Plato and Machiavelli were nevertheless, as similar as they were different on their beliefs in an idealistic government. Both of their ideas have been taught for years, and are certainly essential to understand how they interpret a perfect polis. Plato emphasis the question on what is justice for the people as well as for the Kallipolis and whether a just person is better off than an unjust person. Ethical beliefs are Plato’s main focus in a government.

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