machiavelli essay topics

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Machiavelli

By: History.com Editors

Updated: January 9, 2020 | Original: March 23, 2018

According to Machiavelli, the ends always justify the means—no matter how cruel, calculating or immoral those means might be. Tony Soprano and Shakespeare’s Macbeth may be well-known Machiavellian characters, but the man whose name inspired the term, Niccolo Machiavelli, didn’t operate by his own cynical rule book. Rather, when Machiavelli wrote The Prince , his shrewd guidelines to power in the 16th century, he was an exiled statesman angling for a post in the Florentine government. It was his hope that a strong sovereign, as outlined in his writing, could return Florence to its former glory.

Machiavelli’s guide to power was revolutionary in that it described how powerful people succeeded—as he saw it—rather than as one imagined a leader should operate.

Before his exile, Machiavelli had navigated the volatile political environment of 16th-century Italy as a statesman. There were constant power struggles at the time between the city-states of Italy, the Holy Roman Empire, France and Spain.

As leaders rapidly rose and fell, Machiavelli observed traits that, he believed, bolstered power and influence. In 1513, after being expelled from political service with the takeover of Florence by the Medici family , Machiavelli penned his outline of what makes an effective leader in The Prince .

Unlike the noble princes portrayed in fairy tales, a successful ruler of a principality, as described in Machiavelli’s writings, is brutal, calculating and, when necessary, utterly immoral.

Because people are “quick to change their nature when they imagine they can improve their lot,” he wrote, a leader must also be shrewd. “The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among so many who are not virtuous. Therefore, if a prince wants to maintain his rule he must be prepared not to be virtuous, and to make use of this or not according to need.”

Until Machiavelli’s writing, most philosophers of politics had defined a good leader as humble, moral and honest. Machiavelli shed that notion, saying frankly, “It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot have both.”

Cruelty can be better than kindness, he argued, explaining that “Making an example of one or two offenders is kinder than being too compassionate, and allowing disorders to develop into murder and chaos which affects the whole community.” Keeping one’s word can also be dangerous, he said, since “experience shows that those who do not keep their word get the better of those who do.”

Moreover, Machiavelli also believed that when leaders are not moral, it’s important they pretend they are to keep up appearances. “A prince must always seem to be very moral, even if he is not,” he wrote.

Fortune and Virtù

Finally, leaders must not rely on luck, Machiavelli wrote, but should shape their own fortune, through charisma, cunning and force. As Machiavelli saw it, there were two main variables in life: fortune and virtù.

Virtù (not virtue) meant bravery, power and the ability to impose one’s own will. Fortune, he wrote, was like a “violent river” that can flood and destroy the earth, but when it is quiet, leaders can use their free will to prepare for and conquer the rough river of fate. An effective leader, Machiavelli wrote, maximizes virtù and minimizes the role of fortune. This way, “fortune favors the brave.”

Cesare Borgia

One of the real-life models Machiavelli took inspiration from when writing The Prince was Cesare Borgia, a crude, brutal and cunning prince of the Papal States whom Machiavelli had observed first-hand. During a visit with Borgia to discuss relations with Florence, Machiavelli witnessed as Borgia lured his enemies to the city of Senigallia with gifts and promises of friendship and then had them all assassinated.

Ultimately, even Borgia would succumb to ill fortune when his father, Pope Alexander VI, became ill and died. Borgia died a few years after the death of his father at the young age of 32.

Despite Borgia’s premature demise, Machiavelli believed that a strong leader like Borgia was just what Florence needed to raise morale, unite the people and raise the city state’s prominence to its former glory.

Machiavelli Quotes

"The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him."

"It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles."

"Whoever believes that great advancement and new benefits make men forget old injuries is mistaken."

"The best fortress is to be found in the love of the people, for although you may have fortresses, they will not save you if you are hated by the people."

"Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great."

"There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you."

"Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are."

Impact of The Prince

But Machiavelli would not find an audience for his work before his death and Florence was not restored to its former glory in his lifetime. France, then Spain and Austria, invaded Italy and its warring city-states were unable to defend themselves, leading to nearly 400 years of dominance by outside rulers.

Eventually, The Prince was published in 1532, five years after Machiavelli’s death. Over the centuries that followed, the principles it espoused would trigger outrage as well as admiration and establish Machiavelli as a controversial and revolutionary political thinker.

In 1559, all of Machiavelli’s works were placed on the Catholic church’s “Index of Prohibited Books.” The recently formed Protestant Church also condemned The Prince , and it was banned in Elizabethan England. Nonetheless, the book was widely read, and its author’s name became synonymous with cunning and unscrupulous behavior.

The Art of War

Years after writing The Prince , Machiavelli penned  The Art of War , a treatise written in the form of a dialogue between a military expert and citizens. 

The Art of War discusses the role that citizens have in supporting and using military troops to the citizens' advantage, the role of training and the best use of artillery in disarming one's enemies. Drawing on themes he introduced in The Prince , Machiavelli also notes how deception and intrigue are valuable military strategies.

Machiavellian History

Machiavelli would be blamed for inspiring Henry VIII to defy the pope and seize religious authority for himself. William Shakespeare would cite Machiavelli as “the murderous Machiavel” in Henry VI , and many of his characters would embody Machiavellian traits.

Philosopher Edmund Burke would describe the French Revolution as bearing evidence of the “odious maxims of a Machiavellian policy.” In the 20th century, some would point to Machiavelli as playing a role in the rise of dictators like Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin .

Hitler kept a copy of The Prince by his bedside and Stalin was known to have read and annotated his copy of the book. Business leaders have looked to the work as a cutthroat approach to getting ahead, and the book has been called the “ Mafia Bible” with gangsters, including John Gotti , quoting from its pages.

Some scholars have questioned whether Machiavelli intended that readers take him at his word. Instead, they propose that The Prince was actually a satirical work and intended as a warning of what could happen if power is left unchecked.

But most take it at face value as a cold-blooded blueprint for how to gain and hold onto power. Francis Bacon , the English statesman-scientist-philosopher, was among those who appreciated Machiavelli’s frank reflections early on, writing in 1605, “We are much beholden to Machiavel and others that write what men do and not what they ought to do.”

The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli, published by Dover Publications, 1992. Machiavelli: Renaissance Political Analyst and Author by Heather Lehr Wagner, published by Chelsea House Publishers, 2006. Machiavelli: A Brief Insight by Quentin Skinner , published by Sterling, 1981. “The Florentine: The man who taught rulers to rule,” by Claudia Roth Pierpont, September 15, 2008, The New Yorker . “Machiavelli’s Dangerous Book for Men,” by Michael Arditti, January 19, 2008, The Telegraph “Machiavelli’s Main Man,” by Alexander Stille, March 11, 2007, The Los Angeles Times . “Machiavelli’s The Prince, part 1: The Challenge of Power,” by Nick Spencer, March 26, 2012, The Guardian . “Machiavelli’s The Prince, part 7: The Two Sides of Human Nature,” by Nick Spencer, May 7, 2012, The Guardian . “Have We Got Machiavelli All Wrong?” by Erica Benner, March 3, 2017, The Guardian . "The Art Of War, By Niccolò Machiavelli," by Angelo M. Codevilla, The Hoover Institution . "15 Surprisingly Great Leadership Quotes From Machiavelli," by Erika Andersen, Forbes . “Political Morality?” by Andrew Curry, January 13, 1999, The Washington Post .

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Home — Essay Samples — Philosophy — Philosophers — Machiavelli

Essays on Machiavelli

Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian diplomat, philosopher, and writer who is best known for his political treatise, ""The Prince."" His work has had a profound impact on political thought and has sparked numerous debates and discussions about ethics, power, and leadership. As a result, there are countless essay topics that can be explored in relation to Machiavelli's ideas and theories.

The Importance of the Topic

Machiavelli's writings have had a lasting impact on political theory and have influenced the way we think about power and leadership. As such, exploring essay topics related to Machiavelli can provide valuable insights into the nature of politics and the complexities of human behavior. Additionally, by studying Machiavelli's ideas, students can gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural contexts in which he lived and wrote.

Advice on Choosing a Topic

When choosing a topic for an essay on Machiavelli, it is important to consider the specific aspects of his work that interest you the most. Do you want to explore the ethical implications of Machiavelli's advice for rulers? Or do you want to examine the historical and political context in which he wrote? Perhaps you are interested in comparing Machiavelli's ideas to those of other political theorists. By narrowing down your focus and choosing a specific aspect of Machiavelli's work to explore, you can create a more focused and compelling essay.

There are countless essay topics that can be explored in relation to Machiavelli's work. Whether you are interested in the ethical implications of his ideas, the historical context in which he wrote, or the impact of his work on political thought, there are numerous avenues for exploration. By choosing a topic that resonates with you and delving into the complexities of Machiavelli's theories, you can gain a deeper understanding of the nature of power and leadership. As you embark on your essay writing journey, consider the advice provided and take the time to carefully choose a topic that will allow you to engage with Machiavelli's ideas in a meaningful and thought-provoking way.

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Machiavelli Essay Questions—The Prince

1.        Machiavelli notes that by destroying the weaker powers King Louis made a dangerous mistake. However, if a state is striving for dominance, aren’t demonstrations of power necessary to appease the people and also warn enemies?  (Julie Kim)

2.        Machiavelli’s war-disease analogy seems to justify preemptive warfare.  Do you agree with his worldview?  (Esther Schoenfeld)

3.        Machiavelli seems to have no concern for justice whatsoever; he is only concerned about maintaining power. In light of our past discussions about justice, however, how do you view the assertion that “there is no surer way of keeping possession than by devastation?” (Allegra Wiprud)

4.        Is practicality always the best policy?  (Maaz Tambra)

5.        Do you agree that “there is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others?” Is war a necessity?  (Daniel Frankel)

6.        What do we expect from new rulers when they are chosen today? How important is change?  (Omika Jikaria)

7.        Machiavelli advocates the use of settlements rather than armed troops to exert a foreign nation’s influence upon another. Is this good advice? In particular, think about Israel’s settlements in the West Bank. Does this pacify the Palestinians or inflame tensions?  (Jacob Sunshine)

8.        Machiavelli says “whoever is responsible for another’s becoming powerful ruins himself.” Do you agree with this? What does it say about the value of allies?  (Sharada Sridhar)

9.        Would Machiavelli approve of U.S. foreign policy?  (Anna Gordan)

10.    Does Machiavelli’s merciless desire to keep enemies down hold in a global society with multinational police institutions like the U.N?  (Phillip Yuen)

1.        Can a criminal today become president? Is it easier or more difficult for those in power to commit crimes?  (Taha Ahsin)

2.        Machiavelli says unarmed prophets fail. Would he also say that the principle of civil disobedience is not an effective way to achieve political change?  (Sandesh Kataria)

3.        What is the ultimate goal of the Machiavellian prince? Is it worthwhile?  (Dominika Burek)

4.        Can cruelty be used “well?” If “those who use [cruelty well] can, with God and with men, somehow enhance their position”—do immoral means justify moral ends?  (Cassie Moy)

5.        Machiavelli states that “without opportunity, the virtue of their spirit would have been extinguished.” This clashes with the American sentiment that with hard work, one can achieve anything. Is Machiavelli’s vision outdated, or is it still true today?  (Masha Gindler)

6.        “Therefore one must urgently arrange matters so that when they no longer believe they can be made to believe by force.” Should efficiency in government be sacrificed for democratic ideals?  (Paul Lee)

7.        Machiavelli says “the less a man has relied on fortune, the stronger he has made his position.” Is this still applicable to our government?  (Tammuz Huberman)

8.        Are Agathocles and Oliverotto models of our perfectly unjust man?  (Allegra Wiprud)

9.        What do you make of the story about Agathocles? Can cruelty ever be used well, as Machiavelli says it may be?  (Sarah Kaplan)

10.    Does using past examples to prove his points make Machiavelli right? Or should we side with Plato and condemn Machiavelli’s use of particulars?  (Matthew Solomon)

11.    How large a role, if any, should morality play in foreign policy?  (Esther Schoenfeld)

12.    “Men do you harm either because they fear you or because they hate you.” Do you agree?  (Kai Sam Ng)

13.    “Whoever believes that with great men new services wipe out old injuries deceives himself.” Does this mean that reconciliation is never possible? What implications does this have for world leaders today?  (Casey Griffin)

14.    Machiavelli does condone unnecessary violence and criminality on the part of princes. How was his reputation for moral decrepitude, and the decidedly negative connotation of “Machiavellian” arrived at?  (Evan Smith)

1.        What is the end goal of Machiavelli obtaining these principalities and land? Can this be translated into today’s modern system of power?   (Taha Ahsin)

2.        How does Machiavelli’s idea of what constitutes a “good law” differ from that of other philosophers we have read? Which leads to a more successful state? (Julia Kaplan)

3.        “When things are quiet, everyone dances attendance, everyone makes promises, and everybody would die for him so long as death is far off.  But in times of adversity, when the state has need of its citizens, there are few to be found.” Does this hold true today? Is this true of America? (Maaz Tambra)

4.        Machiavelli argues that low expectations are the greatest advantage, because “when man receive favors from someone they expected to do them ill, they are under greater obligation to their benefactor.” Do you agree? (Claire Littlefield)

5.        “Princes… rule either directly or through magistrates. In the latter case, their position is weaker and more dangerous…” Does bureaucracy weaken the power of the sovereign? (Kai Sam Ng)

6.        Can Machiavelli’s critique of the use of mercenaries be likened to our own use of military contractors in places like Iraq and Afghanistan? If so, does it mean that out use of these contractors is ultimately detrimental to our goals in these wars? (Anna Gordan)

7.        How does a prince find balance between doing favors for his people and making reasonable laws? (Sandesh Kataria)

8.        In this day and age of centralized governments and large states, do Machiavelli’s arguments about controlling a small city-state still prevail? (Jacob Sunshine)

9.        Given Machiavelli’s opinions on mercenary armies, how would we feel about how t he United States Armed Forces is composed today? Specifically, would he have an opinion on the fact that expedited citizenship is offered to immigrants who perform military service? (Lily Ostrer)

10.    Is the United States a strong state in Machiavelli’s terms? (Tousif Ahsan)

11.    Many of Machiavelli’s theories seem to coincide with why wars were won and lost even after he dies. Does one simply have to follow his ideas to get to the top? (Marley Lindsey)

12.    Do you think that Machiavelli believes in God? If he does, how can he reconcile his philosophy with theology? (Sarah Kaplan)

13.    Is being the Prince truly worth all the emotional and mental trouble? (Sharada Sridhar)

14.    Do you agree with the idea that good laws cannot exist without good armies? Can the two ever be independent of one another? (Omika Jikaria)

1.        Does democracy doom politicians to generosity? Are government entitlements an example of destructive generosity?   (Claire Littlefield)

2.        Machiavelli says that “Many have dreamed up republics and principalities which have never in truth been known to exist;  the gulf between how one should live and how one does live is so wide that a man who neglects what is actually done for what should be done moves towards self destruction rather than self preservation.” Is idealism a fault? What does this mean for the writings of Plato, Augustine and Aquinas?  (Sarah Kaplan)

3.        Machiavelli claims that men are “ungrateful, fickle, liars and deceivers” who “shun danger and are greedy for profit” and “who sooner forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony.” Do you agree with this characterization of mankind?  (Sarah Kaplan)

4.        Can a person gain power while acting virtuously?  (Casey Griffin)

5.        Can a state be injured by constantly remaining on guard, even against the benefits which allies can bring? Are other opportunities lost due to a lack of trust?  (Julie Kim)

6.        Is the very start of Chapter XV a concealed criticism of Plato?  (Anna Gordan)

7.        What would Machiavelli think of Cincinnatus, the Roman who gave up his power in times of peace instead of preparing for the next war?  (Max Blitzer)

8.        How would Plato respond to Machiavelli’s criticism that a virtuous life “moves toward self-destruction?” What do you think?  (Esther Schoenfeld)

9.        Is diplomacy only reserved for those who can afford the alternative?  (Tousif Ahsan)

10.    Is there something morally wrong with lending a country’s troops to another country?  (Matthew Solomon)

11.    Machiavelli has previously stated that a prince must be willing and able to eliminate former allies, and here states that allies are ultimately harmful in war. Can true alliances or friendships exist without jealousy or rivalry?  (Allegra Wiprud)

12.    Is there any room for morality in Machiavelli’s city?  (Masha Gindler)

13.    Does being skilled in the art of war allow one to govern properly as a ruler?  (Michael Huang)

1.        Would you rather be feared or loved? (Marley Lindsey)

2.        Is the prince’s main goal to keep order in the state (much like Plato’s conception of the perfect city) or does he aspire to give all individuals the best life? How do power and order clash with individualism? (Jacob Sunshine)

3.        “A prince… cannot observe all those things which give men a reputation for virtue, because in order to maintain his state he is often forced to act in defiance of good faith.” Do you agree? (Matthew Solomon)

4.        Is there room for true compassion in politics or can nothing be free from calculation? (Allegra Wiprud)

5.        “Fear is quite compatible with the absence of hatred.” Do you agree? (Casey Griffin)

6.        How do Aristotle and Machiavelli’s political animals compare and which is bound to be more successful? (Daniel Frankel)

7.        Must a prince overcome adversity in order to be great? If this is the case, does greatness depend more on the individual or circumstance? (Sarah Kaplan)

8.        Do Machiavellian conclusions lead to relativism? (Kai Sam Ng)

9.        Machiavelli mentions that one of the despised traits in a ruler is effeminacy. Though societal attitudes towards women have changed greatly, there are still many similarities to Machiavelli’s day. Does the aversion to effeminacy explain why there are very few female heads of state? Or do any other requirements in a ruler that Machiavelli mentions require an explanation? (Lily Ostrer)

10.    Because of Hannibal’s cruelty, “the historians… on the one hand admire what [he] achieved, and on the other hand condemn what made those achievements possible.” How do we evaluate our leaders? Do the ends justify the means? (Claire Littlefield)

11.    Is there aesthetic value to being a great leader? Should aesthetics be considered on the same level as virtue? (Esther Schoenfeld)

12.    Does true love or friendship exist? Or is love what Machiavelli defines it to be: “a bond of gratitude which men, wretched creatures they are, break when it is there advantage to do so?” (Tammuz Huberman)

13.    “Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.” Are all people not who they appear to be? (Angela Han)

1.        Would you rather live under the Prince or the Republic? (Maaz Tambra)

2.        “If everyone can speak the truth then you lose respect.” Is this true? (Casey Griffin)

3.        Even though Machiavelli endorses ruthlessness towards others to gain power, he still has some reservations, whether on the grounds of aesthetics or virtú . Why does he have these reservations? (Kai Sam Ng)

4.        If a lot of the things Machiavelli writes are self-evident, why is the term “Machiavellian” pejorative? (Kai Sam Ng)

5.        Throughout The Prince, Machiavelli advocates warfare, violence, cruelty and deceit. Does his impassioned plea for a unified Italy make you see him in a more sympathetic light? (Esther Schoenfeld)

6.        Do you agree that “it is probably true that fortune is the arbiter of half of the things we do, leaving the other half or so to be controlled by ourselves?” (Julia Kaplan)

7.        “…this is a common failing of mankind, never to anticipate a storm when the sea is calm.” Do you agree? (Anna Gordan)

8.        Have the requirements for governing society changed since Machiavelli’s time? What would need to be updated for such a manual for the prince in the modern day? (Lily Ostrer)

9.        Is caution a vice? (Sarah Kaplan)

10.    Is it not more practical to watch two warring countries fight while staying neutral, waiting for an opportunity, rather than choosing a side? (Michael Huang)

11.    What do you think of Machiavelli’s reason for the Prince to exist? Is stability that important, especially if the ruler sacrifices people’s rights? Do the ends justify the means? (Matthew Solomon)

12.    Has Machiavelli convinced you of his virtue? Do you still see being Machiavellian with a somewhat negative connotation? (Marley Lindsey)

13.    “…men are won over by the present far more than by the past.” Do you agree? (Angela Han)

The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli Essay (Book Review)

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Introduction

Imperativeness of the book and its theme, the book’s ideals and key concerns or areas, discussions.

This paper presents a detailed review of an interesting book titled “The Prince” that convey vital principalities of leadership. The book was a masterpiece work of an Italian who was a renowned historian, and a diplomat called Niccolo Machiavelli. The writer was also known as a strong politician who had noble political ideals and theories.

Despite developing his writing skills from a humble background, his insightful narratives have been instrumental in transforming individual’s social and political lifestyle. This explains why the book that has been branded as a traditional peace of work by critics due to its “mirrors of prince style” remains one of the innovative political narrations of the day.

Indeed, the information contained in the book has been instrumental in transforming political activities in various settings. It has been helpful in inculcating noble ruling guidelines and principles among leaders.

It adopted a political theme with an aim of enhancing leadership by fostering democracy and understanding through integration of effective ruling principalities (Machiavelli, 2004). The author focuses on the theme due to the unfair experiences and treatment that he was facing because of bad governance and oppressive rule.

The book focuses on leadership ideals and effective principalities that shape good governance or political practice. Its aim is to convey credible information about political issues and the role of leaders in the development of cohesive societies (Landon, 2005). Machiavelli opens his narration or political observation by stating that all forms of dominion in various jurisdictions are republics or principalities.

He asserted that, any leader who seeks to exercise good leadership should adopt noble principalities (Machiavelli, Skinner & Price, 1988). Such leaders should ensure that the set rules that guide operations in their territories are favorable and acceptable. That is the rules should be ideological, socially relevant and economically viable. In the book, the author’s concern is seen to be exclusively with principalities.

He noted that ethical ruling principalities are the primary virtues that leaders are under obligation to practice or adopt especially in the current environment. He innovatively concentrated on the best techniques of governance and holding up to the noble principalities in the first eleven chapters of the book (Machiavelli, 2004). This shows how individuals can achieve greatness in their respective areas of operation.

Imperatively, the author provided educative information that seeks to foster unity and excellent leadership. He distinguishes the three types of principalities in the first eleven chapters. He also analyzed the best techniques of acquiring the principalities and the process of achieving their absolute maintenance.

Firstly, he considers hereditary principality that pose minimal difficulties in various settings. Marriott (2012) noted that hereditary principalities are consistent ruling ideals that “princes” or territory leaders acquire through experiences, historical studies and predecessors.

Secondly, he considers mixed cases that explain the process through which rulers’ annexes new possessions in their territories. He asserted that this is where key issues that threaten political integration begin. This is because the annexing process leads to unfair acquisition or expansion of territorial setting by some leaders.

This happens especially in territories whose leaders lack democratic ideals and regard for other peoples basic rights (Machiavelli & Rebhorn, 2003). In this regard, the author insists that leaders or rulers should hold and practice complete composite principalities. This is essential in ensuring that they foster peaceful coexistence and political stability. It is also vital in ensuring that they exercise total political control in their territories.

Other chapters of the book focus on the procedures of acquiring new principalities and its consequences. The chapters state that individuals can acquire new principalities or control ideals by their own arms, ability or good lack.

They also convey essential information on the consequences of obtaining leadership principalities through wickedness. This is why the author emphasizes on the need for civilization and adoption of civil principalities (Landon, 2005)

Notably, leaders should get full acquaintance with the way one can measure ruling principalities and potential leadership ideals. The measurement guidelines are crucial in providing them with a viable benchmark through which they can gage their performance. It is also significant to ensure that their actions are executed with good intentions to boost social and economic integration.

In addition, the author affirmed that ruling principalities affect human affairs and productivity. They influence communication and understanding between individuals especially leaders and the public.

This hinders progress since inferior operating principles impede sharing of ideas and development of innovative concepts through teamwork (Marriott, 2012). Lack of noble principles in leadership also compromises liberty and execution of activities under democratic guidelines.

Indeed, the book provides insightful information that has been significant in shaping individuals perception on the significance of good leadership in our societies. It gives essential leadership principalities that leaders should adopt to foster unity among locals where democratic ideals have been cited. It also recognizes that rulers should exercise composite guiding principles within their territories.

Machiavelli, N. (2004). The prince: And, the art of war . London: Collector’s Library.

Machiavelli, N., Skinner, Q., & Price, R. (1988). Machiavelli: The prince . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Machiavelli, N., & Rebhorn, W. A. (2003). The prince and other writings . New York: Barnes & Noble Classics.

Marriott, K. (2013). The Prince . Web.

Landon, W. J. (2005). Politics, patriotism and language: Niccolò Machiavelli’s “secular patria” and the creation of an Italian national identity . New York.

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IvyPanda. (2019, April 16). The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-prince-by-niccolo-machiavelli/

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IvyPanda . 2019. "The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli." April 16, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-prince-by-niccolo-machiavelli/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli." April 16, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-prince-by-niccolo-machiavelli/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli." April 16, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-prince-by-niccolo-machiavelli/.

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A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Dedication-Chapter 11

Chapters 12-14

Chapters 15-23

Chapters 24-26

Key Figures

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Summary and Study Guide

The Prince is a 16th-century political treatise of the Renaissance period written by Italian diplomat and philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli . The work, which was likely distributed for years prior to its official publication in 1532, is one of the most influential works of political philosophy in human history. Machiavelli wrote The Prince as a guide for new and future rulers, instructing them on how to seize and hold onto power, frequently citing specific examples from history as lessons. Each of the book’s primary themes focus on ways in which a ruler can and should manipulate the citizenry, often through the use of immoral means for a desired result . As such, The Prince and Machiavelli spawned the pejorative term “Machiavellian” to represent this type of manipulation in politics.

Plot Summary

Although The Prince eventually found widespread circulation and fame, its original intent was to serve as a handbook for one specific ruler and to ingratiate Machiavelli back into the political elite. He begins the book with a dedication to Lorenzo de Medici, a member of the ruling Medici family which had previously imprisoned, tortured, and banished Machiavelli following its rise to power. Early in his work, Machiavelli lays out two disclaimers important to his philosophy of how princes should seize and maintain power. The first is to explain his usage of the word state to refer to any distinct sovereign region and to clarify that all states are either republics, in which the people hold power through electing a representative, or principalities, which are monarchies. The second disclaimer explains that his discussions will concern only principalities because he has written of republics at length in other works.

Each of the book’s 26 chapters explains Machiavelli’s vision as to what actions that a prince should take in order to maintain power. The chapters can be divided into four basic sections: types of principalities, defense and military, the qualities and behavior of a prince, and prudence and fate. Chapters 1 through 11 discuss the several different types of principalities, such as those inherited by the ruler through family, those which are a mixture of inherited and newly annexed territories, those which are entirely new and have been acquired through force, and those which are Ecclesiastical in nature and under the direct sovereign rule of the Pope. Chapters 12 through 14 discuss the prince as military leader and the different types of armies, including those consisting entirely of native troops, those consisting entirely of hired mercenary soldiers , those consisting of auxiliary troops borrowed from other rules, and those which consist of a mixture of native, mercenary, or auxiliary troops. Chapters 15-23 discuss the behavior of a prince in regard to characteristics such as generosity, cruelty, faithfulness, and reputation. Over the final three chapters Machiavelli discusses Italy’s current political state and how the issues of prudence, chance, and free will contributed to it being under the control of foreign powers. 

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by Niccolo Machiavelli

The prince essay questions.

Does Machiavelli believe in free will?

Possible Answer:

The fact that Machiavelli's work is written as a sort of guidebook suggests his belief in free will; were man unable to choose his path, he would have no use for a tome like The Prince. Machiavelli believes that the choices that a man - or, specifically, a prince - makes over the course of his life have a significant impact not only on the man himself, but on all those around him.

Machiavelli argues for the importance of history throughout The Prince , weaving examples from the past throughout his treatise. Does he acknowledge his own place in history? How does he think he will be viewed in the years after his passing? Can we even find answers, or is this a futile line of inquiry? If the latter -- why?

The fact that Machiavelli addresses parts of The Prince to historical figures with whom he had direct contact suggests that he was acutely aware of his own place in history. However, the ambiguity of his references to contemporary leaders speaks to his uncertainty about how later generations would view him, as well.

Offer an interpretation of The Prince as personal text. What biographical details from Machiavelli's life are relevant to the text? In what ways does the first-person intrude on the omniscient narrator-as-philosopher?

Machiavelli wrote The Prince as a gift to Lorenzo de Medici, after suffering through years of exile and torture. It is impossible to imagine that the horrors that he experienced did not to some extent inform the views that he voices in the work. His past seems particularly to bubble to the surface during his discussion of cruelty: how can a man who has suffered so be willing to commend cruelty in any form? And yet Machiavelli is willing to endorse cruelty nonetheless, holding that in many cases the ends justify the means.

Analyze Chapter XVII: "On Cruelty and Clemency: Whether It Is Better to Be Feared or Loved".

Machiavelli is acutely aware of mankind's failings, and seems to feel that the safer approach to life is to embrace these flaws. If a man behaves in accordance with his "rotten" nature he is likely to be feared, but it is safer to rule in this manner than to encourage love amongst one's subjects. Love, Machiavelli seems to believe, is far too fickle and fleeting to be useful to rulers.

Machiavelli was a republican; yet The Prince has often been criticized as a manual for and justification of absolutist/totalitarian tactics. Discuss.

Many critics have argued that Machiavelli's text has been largely misinterpreted, and that its totalitarian tactics have been emphasized while its more politically moderate viewpoints have been largely ignored. Machiavelli's work is in fact an intricately layered, infinitely complex analysis of the human condition as much as it is a treatise on the acquisition of power.

Discuss the use of Cesare Borgia in The Prince - as character, example, model, warning sign, narrative cog.

Throughout The Prince, Machiavelli cites Cesare Borgia, son of Alexander VI, as an example of an individual who was prudent and clever in his quest to attain power. Borgia, Machiavelli feels, is someone who did everything right, only to lose all that he had gained through a stroke of bad luck. This suggests Machiavelli's belief that though man may certainly exercise free will in his actions, he is ultimately not the master of his own fate, and must leave some things up to the grace of God.

Machiavelli was often openly contemptuous of the Church, but these feelings are sublimated to a certain degree in The Prince . Examine the instances in which Machiavelli explicitly analyzes or describes the Church. What does his position seem to be?

Machiavelli seems aware in this work of his audience - indeed, The Prince is positioned as a gift to Lorenzo de Medici - and thus must have been conscious of the need to temper his animosity towards the Church. However, the entire text directly refutes traditional religious values, arguing that a truly successful political leader simply cannot be a perfect Christian. Religion, Machiavelli seems to believe, has very little place in the political realm.

Why is Machiavelli so often called a "secular" humanist? Do you agree with the appellation?

Machiavelli's approach to humanism represents a dramatic shift from traditional, Christian ideas of virtue to a belief in the importance of self-interest, as justified by secularism. He expresses the opinion that virtue is not a black-and-white concept, and holds that actions should be judged as "right" or "wrong" based on their utility.

Does Machiavelli favor cruelty in government?

Machiavelli does not decry the use of cruelty by governments, but believes that it has a place only when it is useful. While kindness is favorable, cruelty should be employed when failing to do so would lead to greater harm (e.g. a civil uprising).

Explicate the Petrarch verse that closes The Prince in relation to the rest of the book.

The Prince ends with the following quote: “Then virtue boldly shall engage/And swiftly vanquish barbarous rage,/Proving that ancient and heroic pride/In true Italian hearts has never died." Machiavelli's ultimate goal in this work is to provide present and future rulers with the tools with which to uplift the Italian state and return it to its former splendor. By closing the work with these words, Machiavelli reveals his deep-seated passion for Italy and determination to inspire pride in the hearts of all who read his tome.

The Prince Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Prince is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

The chatterbox prince

Is this a book or short story? Who is the author?

What were the five errors committed by Louis XII of France? How did the ancient Romans and Alexander the Great avoid some of these mistakes?

From the text:

''Louis made these five errors: he destroyed the minor powers, he increased the strength of one of the greater powers in Italy, he brought in a foreign power, he did not settle in the country, he did not send colonies . ''

Suggests that the author mainly believes that people

Can you quote the first line of the paragraph so I know where you are meaning?

Study Guide for The Prince

The Prince study guide contains a biography of Niccolo Machiavelli, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Prince
• The Prince Summary
• Character List

Essays for The Prince

The Prince literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Prince.

• How Aristotle and Machiavelli Use the Middle Class and the Masses to Achieve Stable Political Organizations
• Hamlet, the Machiavellian Prince: An Exploration of Shakespeare's Use of Machiavellian Politics
• The Christian Ethics of Machiavelli
• Did Machiavelli Feel That Autocracy Was the Best Form of Government?
• The Nation State: How Machiavelli Gave Birth To the Modern Conception of Rule

Lesson Plan for The Prince

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Introduction to The Prince
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• The Prince Bibliography

E-Text of The Prince

The Prince e-text contains the full text of The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli.

• Introduction
• Chapters 1-5
• Chapters 6-10
• Chapters 11-15

Wikipedia Entries for The Prince

• Student Opportunities

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The Art Of War, By Niccolò Machiavelli

In this, the least known of his works, Machiavelli gives straightforward advice on organizing and conducting military operations. The Art of War’s clear, and concise style is diametrically opposed to that of The Prince . The book is wholly practical, considers contrasting arguments, and even includes illustrative diagrams. Its format is that of a conversation between a military expert and interested citizens. Although the expert, Fabrizio, is obviously Machiavelli himself, the format provides at least an arguable degree of separation between Machiavelli and his advice.

The modern reader may be put off by how closely the discussion tracks the weapons and tactics of a time when gunpowder was just beginning to affect Western warfare. What attention, after all, should we pay to comparisons between short and long swords and spears? Readers interested in warfare’s timeless principles, however, will be rewarded by spending time with a first-rate mind as it considers them.

What place should the “art” of war have in any polity? Here, the word “art” means “profession.” Machiavelli’s conclusion is what, in our time, we call “civilian supremacy” over military affairs, lest the military interests divert the polity from its ordinary objectives. But only when ordinary citizens are conversant with the principles of war can they use warriors and not be used by them. Because any army’s allegiance is the foremost indicator of how well it will fight and for whom, recruiting armed forces among one’s own citizens—and on the broadest possible basis—is of paramount importance. As for training, nothing will ever replace the Spartan/Roman practice of making the training harder than any battle imaginable. Citizens committed and hardened to their country’s defense are worth more than any other factor in military affairs.

Machiavelli’s genius is most visible in his discussion of artillery. He intuits that such a potent force is most profitably used to safeguard one’s own side from the enemy’s use of it. Hence, rather than being used to slaughter enemy troops, artillery should be targeted first to disarm the enemy, in what today we call a “counterforce” mode. Machiavelli’s discussion of elastic defense, of logistics, and of the advantages and perils of various kinds of terrain, while not revolutionary—how could they be?—are more concise versions than one finds in manuals such as Hamley’s Operations of War . The reader is not surprised that the book’s most passionate and lengthy passages catalogue various stratagems for producing surprise through deception.

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Machiavelli: A Very Short Introduction (1st edn)

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Machiavelli: A Very Short Introduction considers the life and impact of the Florentine renaissance humanist, diplomat, historian, and political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli. Machiavelli taught that political leaders must be prepared to do evil that good may come of it, and his name has been a byword ever since for duplicity and immorality. This VSI considers whether his sinister reputation is deserved, focusing on three major works, The Prince , the Discourses , and The History of Florence . These works were informed by Machiavelli's own experiences and sought to provide a new model for states and statesmanship.

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Home Essay Samples Philosophy

Essay Samples on Machiavelli

Analysis of the philosophical perspective in niccolò machiavelli's novel the prince.

For this previously Written Assignment, we will portray the Philosophical perspective on Niccolò Machiavelli who best speaks to the Renaissance Italian man. He was a trend-setter, yet a History researcher as well. A humanist, rationalist, essayist, legislator, and representative. He lived somewhere in the range...

• Machiavelli

Historical Accuracy Of Shakespeare'S Richard Iii Paradoxical Portrayal

Richard III, a Shakespearean play based on the history of the war of the Roses which took place in England during the late 15th century, showed the political inconstancy of that era. England, as a country united for the first time under the reign of...

• Richard III
• William Shakespeare

Machiavelli's The Prince: What It Takes to Be a Good Ruler

In The Prince, Machiavelli writes in opposition to the moralistic view that there is a link between the goodness of one’s character and what it is to be a good ruler; he rejects the view that the good prince is one who is moral, virtuous,...

• Political Philosophy

Concept of Power in International System and Its Hierarchy

Modern thinking about power begun in the 16th century and the 17th century with Nicollò Machiavelli (The Prince) and Thomas Hobbes (Leviathan) and they are acknowledged as classics and references in political theories. However, power is not a defined concept; it is a matter of...

• Hierarchy of Power
• International Politics

The Image of the Perfect Land in Machiavelli's The Prince and Plato's Republic

Many individuals in history have expounded on perfect rulers and states and how to look after them. Maybe the most discussed and thought about are Machiavelli's, The Prince and Plato's, The Republic. Machiavelli inhabited a period when Italy was experiencing its political demolition. The Prince,...

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Tao-Tzu and Machiavelli: Similarities and Contrast of Ideas of Ideal Government

Leadership has always been a key factor in the failure or success of a society. The absence of such a factor would lead to chaos and complete anarchy in most situations. People need somebody who can lead them into being a progressive society; somebody they...

Machiavelli - People in Power Do Not Want to Easily Lose Power

Just like Machiavelli emphasizes in The Prince, that a ruler must act beast-like and not follow his word when it causes a disadvantage. Yes, I believe that taking control in any manner, whether it is with the wrong intent, can be very effective, in getting...

The Legendary Niccolo di Bernardo dei Machiavelli

It goes without saying that one must be exceptional to make a long-lasting impact on history and there is no doubt in anyone's mind about the exceptionality of Niccolo Machiavelli who excelled at everything he did. He is remembered as a politician, philosopher, historian, diplomat,...

• Italian Renaissance

Niccolo Machiavelli - Italian Thinker, Politician, Philosopher, Writer

Machiavelli added/gave to a giant variety of very important talks/conversations in Western thought--political explanation (of why something works or happens the way it does) especially, but also/and history and historiography, Italian books, the ideas of warfighting, and politeness and skill with people. But Machiavelli in...

Best topics on Machiavelli

1. Analysis of the Philosophical Perspective in Niccolò Machiavelli’s Novel The Prince

2. Historical Accuracy Of Shakespeare’S Richard Iii Paradoxical Portrayal

3. Machiavelli’s The Prince: What It Takes to Be a Good Ruler

4. Concept of Power in International System and Its Hierarchy

5. The Image of the Perfect Land in Machiavelli’s The Prince and Plato’s Republic

6. Tao-Tzu and Machiavelli: Similarities and Contrast of Ideas of Ideal Government

7. Machiavelli – People in Power Do Not Want to Easily Lose Power

8. The Legendary Niccolo di Bernardo dei Machiavelli

9. Niccolo Machiavelli – Italian Thinker, Politician, Philosopher, Writer

• Human Nature
• Personal Identity
• Enlightenment
• Ethics in Everyday Life

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