Context
When was The Prince written?
1513, when Florence was occupied by the Medici family
What other context relates to Machiavelli's credibility as an author?
In 1512, the Medici family returned to Florence and reinstated their rule. In order to recover his political power in Florence Machiavelli needed to gain a stronger position in the Florentine government.
The Northern Renaissance had a stronger focus on God, while Machiavelli recommended that Italians distance away from religion if needed to succeed.
What are some similarities between both Renaissances?
Even as Machiavelli reveals a disdain for the traditional values similar to the Northern Renaissance, the Italian Renaissance and its Northern counterpoint both push for the betterment of humans, although with different methods.
What ideologies from the Italian Renaissance influenced Machiavelli to write The Prince?
Virtu which is the idea of manliness, being in command and being willing to act unethically to succeed
Who was the intended audience?
To the upper class, literate and politically oriented people of Italy. It was specifically dedicated to the powerful Medici Family. Some scholars argue that this was an instruction book for himself to act more ruthless in his pursuit of his political goals.
What is one attribute that was strongly prevalent in one of the Renaissance's while not in the other?
The enhancement of human capability was more popular in the Italian Renaissance, as Machiavelli supported humans to go expand their abilities to achieve their goals through whatever means possible. This was less prevalent in the Northern Renaissance.
What are the limits to the argument that both are fundamentally different?
Both Renaissances pushed for societal change. The concept of the universal man, a theme popular in both Renaissances adds to this idea that being able to adapt and be well rounded is essential. Machiavelli shares this viewpoint that humans need to demonstrate all possible qualities to be successful.
What are the key points of The Prince?
How to conquer land and keep it, the fact that the ends always justify the means, replacing the idea of a perfect prince with one that is brutal, calculating and, when necessary, utterly immoral.
What was the purpose of The Prince?
To instruct his readers that in order to succeed one must be willing to the hard thing, regardless of how immoral it may seem to be.
To what extent did each Renaissance value human institutions?
The Italian Renaissance put more value on humans operating institutions. For instance, Machiavelli argued that humans should do whatever possible to seize control of institutions, like the political sphere of Northern Italy. In the Northern Renaissance however, there was a larger skepticism regarding this practice, instead valuing a more religious control over society.
How was humanism examined?
Both Renaissances looked into humanism and the goodness of humanity, though with different lens, one being more religious in the North and more personally in Italy.
What political events inspired Machiavelli to write The Prince?
Machiavelli was upset that there are multiple city-states competing to be one city-state in power that controls all of Italy. He was also aware of the ever shifting international relations between other Western European powers.
What is Machiavelli's point of view?
Machiavelli's point of view is that of an aspiring and ruthless politician. This point of view has been shared by Hitler and Stalin in their destructive pursuits of power, who have cited the book to their leadership styles.
In what other ways does Machiavelli support the notion that each Renaissance was different?
Machiavelli's rejection of traditional values in the pursuit of personal gain is in contrast with the Northern Renaissance's more structured, morally traditional society. Thus, when Machiavelli urges others to do the opposite of acting faithful, humane, sincere, religious, he complements the view that the two Renaissances had fundamental differences.
Other similarities?
Both Renaissances share the pursuit of rationalism. While the northern Renaissance had somewhat smaller emphasis on this trait, it was very prevalent in Machiavelli's work and the Italian Renaissance in general. Thus, while the trait remains consistent throughout, the degree such prevalence adds nuance to the comparison.