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The Medici Family In Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince

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After reading Niccolo Machiavelli's novel “The Prince” I find this book to be a very interesting and controversial novel. I found it kind of difficult to interpret at first, but as I read along that it was easy to follow. So was Machiavelli under the influence of being threatened by the Medici family the entire time he wrote this novel? After finding different sources and researches about the Medici family and biography about Machiavelli, I do believe that he was under this certain influence. In the beginning of the story, it kicks off by dedicating the book to Lorenzo de’ Medici, a very powerful Italian Statesman. The entire book contains advice of how to acquire and maintain political power. Four main parts are mentioned and included in the novel of how to rule: different kinds of principalities, different types of armies as a leader, character and behavior of a prince, and the current political situation in Italy. His sole purpose to writing “The Prince” was believed to please and enlighten the Medici family (Thornton). Who was the Medici family? The Medici family was a powerful and influential Florentine family from the thirteenth …show more content…

He went on missions to France, Germany, and other governments in Italy. He soon became well educated in government affairs. As he carried out missions, he later perceived the relentless strategies of seizing and maintaining cities of Italian politician Cesare Borgia(1475-1507). He later based his new governing methods from Borgia within his novel “The Prince”. “Put a gun to someone’s head and try to focus, that’s how Machiavelli felt with the Medici family” (Thornton). Machiavelli undoubtedly counted on winning the favor of the Medici family and an advisory position within the Florentine government, but Medici received the book differently and Machiavelli failed to receive an invitation to serve as an

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Why Is The Prince A Devoidedly Unmedieval Piece Of Work

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The Prince: A Decidedly unMedieval Piece of Work The Prince, written by Niccolo Machiavelli, was a secular handbook that dealt with modern statecraft and leadership. In fact, this was the first modern book that discussed political science. This book has influenced many well-known leaders, such as Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler. This essay will discuss the past behaviours of Machiavelli to prove that this book, The Prince, is a decidedly unMedieval piece of work which does not follow the idea of living life so that it is worthy of respect and honour, as stated in the Medieval Code of Chivalry.

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Niccole Machiavelli's The Prince

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He was unfortunately unsuccessful in returning in those 14 years and died in 1527. Despite his end this was how Machiavelli was able to write "The Prince" while he was in exile. I think that 's why the composition of Machiavelli 's treatise in The Prince might have been so direct on how to manage as a ruler. Also, the fact he wanted to return to Florence so bad is probably why Machiavelli mentioned the specifics of a ruler whose aim is to establish and retain control of a new state or to seize and control an existing one.

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Several humanists were widely appreciated for their shared knowledge during the time, constantly writing about everything in the Renaissance. One famous humanist, Niccolò Machiavelli, published one of his most famous pieces, The Prince, which was a short composition to Lorenzo de’ Medici about the secrets of becoming a good ruler. The controversy around this was Machiavelli was known for loving his Republican government, but developed a plan to have Lorenzo reign in an unjust manner. This specific piece of literature describes a twisted ex diplomat using writing as a way to infiltrate the Florentine government to gain position back in the government. The pope Clement VII described the book to be unethical, but allowed its publication about twenty years after it was accused of being crafted of the hands of Satan due to immorality theme of the treatise.

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During the Renaissance we noticed big changes every such as art, economics, culture, religion and many more. One thing that didn’t change though was a strong leader so that his people/nation can strive. Lorenzo de Medici however, was not the strong leader . He ruled with his intelligence he got from a young age and put his people first more than himself. Machiavelli did not believe this was the right way of ruling and to prove to Lorenzo he knew what he was talking about he decided to write the book called The Prince.

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In Niccolo Machiavelli's book, The Prince (1513), he evaluates on how a prince can be a successful leader. Machiavelli’s purpose of this guidebook was to construct his argument to the rising ruler Giuliano de Medici for when he comes to power in Florence. He adopts a casual but authoritative tone in order to convince the prince that Machiavelli’s evaluation on how to be the best prince, is the right thing for the prince to do without coming off as he knows more than the prince or is trying to intimidate him.. Machiavelli’s reference to previous rulers and whether their tactics failed or succeeded helps to benefit his credibility along with his allusion to historic text. He appeals to our logic by simply stating a prince can only do what is within his power to control, and his use of an analogy furthers his argument.

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Both of these highly influential authors had different opinions on ruling that would shape how people would rule during their time and for rulers to come. One of Machiavelli’s major points in The Prince was that it was better to be feared than to be loved. He said this was because while both ways can be useful tools to help one rule, men are less likely to turn a ruler if they were afraid of punishment. Machiavelli had little faith in the common man and had this to say about them, “They are ungrateful, fickle, deceptive and deceiving, avoiders of dangers, eager to gain”(pg.353).

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Florence had been under a republican government since 1494 when the leading Medici family and its supporters had been driven from power. During this time, Machiavelli thrived under the patronage of the Florentine ‘gonfaloniers’ chief administrator for life, Piero Soderini. In 1512, however, with the assistance of Spanish troops, the Medici defeated the republic 's armed forces and dissolved the government. Machiavelli was a direct victim of the regime change: he was initially placed in a form of internal exile and, when he was (wrongly) suspected of conspiring against the Medici in 1513, he was imprisoned and tortured for several weeks. His retirement thereafter to his farm outside of Florence afforded the occasion and the impetus for him to turn to literary pursuits.

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How Does Machiavelli's Qualities To Maintain His Power

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The Prince is a 16th-century political treatise by the Niccolò Machiavelli, and in his work he believes a prince must have certain qualities to maintain his power. The book is very conspicuous from the beginning to end that it was directed to Medicis, the ruler of Florence, on the many ways they can save Italy. Machiavelli begins by explaining why he, a regular citizen, can possibly know more than other rulers on the subject of ruling. The book originally was meant to advise, and instruct the minds of aspiring rulers. It was later when The Prince became considered as an important treaties.

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Machiavelli The Prince Research Paper

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Niccolo Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy in 1468. For 14 years, he represented Italy’s Florentine Republic, which at that time was during the Medici family’s exile. Machiavelli lost his power in 1512 when the Medici family returned. He later wrote The Prince, which is book for politicians that urges the term “Machiavellian”. Niccolo Machiavelli was most known for being the “father of modern political theory”.

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Niccolo Machiavelli Research Paper

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Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian political and military theorist, historian, and author, who through his writing had a prominent impact on political decisions and events, revolutionizing the Renaissance, and altering all of Europe in unforgettable ways. Machiavelli grew up in a very unwealthy family but that didn’t stop him from achieving great things. “Niccolò Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy, of an aristocratic, though by no means wealthy, family” (Niccolo Machiavelli). Although not much information is known about Machiavelli’s youth, through his many pieces are writing, historians can assume that he was a very assiduous reader of the classics. No official records of Machiavelli’s life were recorded until 1498, after the fall of

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The Prince, written by Machiavelli, is a candid outline of how he believes leaders gain and keep power. Machiavelli uses examples of past leaders to determine traits that are necessary to rule successfully. Leaders such as the King of Naples and the Duke of Milan lacked military power, made their subjects hate them, or did not know how to protect themselves from the elite, causing them to lose power. He says that these rulers should blame laziness, not luck, for their failures. By looking at these historical successes and failures, Machiavelli is able to develop his own thoughts on how politics and leaders should be in the future.

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And even after the city was conquered and the Republic fell, he never left Florence. Some have made the argument that Machiavelli wrote “The Prince” not as a handbook, but as an insult to the invading Medici Prince. As Viroli argues (quoting a 1585 Italian text by Albericus Genntili), “Machiavelli was a strong supporter and enthusiast for democracy… He was extremely hostile to tyranny.” If this is to be believed, the Machiavelli, in fact, was actually a good man, who likely did not support the message of The Prince.

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In 1511, Machiavelli was a Florentine diplomat respected by many. He was a highly esteemed scholar and agent of Piero Soderini, an Italian statesman of the Republic, and was often sent aboard to represent Florence. Machiavelli strongly objected how heavily the Florentine government relied on its French allies, after the French bailed; Florence was left to face the papacy. The papacy was strong and indestructible due to its alliance with Spain causing the Florentine armies to be crushed and a collapse in government. The powerful merchant banker family, the Medicis’, returned to rule the city again.

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Niccolo Machiavelli’s controversial publication, The Prince, was widely infamous during the fithteenth century for its controversial views and audacious claims. Intended as a token of devotion to the Magnificent Lorenzo de Medici, The Prince illustrates key points and values extracted from many great men throughout history. The objective of the publication is to provide knowledge of how to be a great prince, to lead and maintain power by following the footsteps of previous world dignitaries. However, the topics covered were interpreted as immoral, even possibly outlandish for the time. By addressing the very nature of men, to satisfy the lust for power, Machiavelli received great criticism and opposition for his work.

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It is hard to tell if Machiavelli is being a satire or evening mocking the Medici family. After all, the Medici family did torture Machiavelli and they already rule in this type of manner. Therefore, the three qualities are perhaps examples to counter attack the Medici family or even the Pope Alexander VI. Machiavelli was a very intelligent man and proud of his educated mind, which he would use it to voice his opinion to win his arguments. He was also instinctive dramatically that enjoyed producing shock and outrage and like great many Tuscans, he feared he would be taken for a dupe therefore, being considered a monster gives them a more flattering appearance.

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