The Prince
Timothy Gipson Alexandria Jenks Kimberly Weatherston Denae Humphreys
Table of Contents
1. About Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli 2. Summary of The Prince 3. Summary of the environment in The Prince 4. Analysis of the Story
About Machiavelli
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was born the second sonon May 3, 1469 in Florence, Italy to a lawyer, Bernardo di Niccolò Machiavelli and Bartolommea di Stefano Nelli. His family was believed to be related to the old marquesses of Tuscany. Machiavelli found himself to be a political genius and working for the government of Florence, starting out as a secretary and moving his way up. He met many different people, but the most influential one was a prince, Cesare Borgia. Machiavelli did not agree with Borgia’s policies, but he thought that with Borgia ruling Florence, then France would finally be able to unite, which is what Machiavelli wanted to do all his life.
More about Machiavelli
After being removed from his positions in the government, Machiavelli wanted to get back into politics and wanted to win over the ruling family by writing a book, The Prince. The ruling family did not agree with what the book said, so Machiavelli did not have a job. The book then was leaked to the public, who wondered how cruel a person should be to write something like The Prince. After the ruling family was removed, Machiavelli tried to get back his position he left years ago, but the reputation of The Prince did not give him that chance.
More about Machiavelli
After he was not elected to go back into his position, Machiavelli’s health began to fail and he died a few months later on June 21, 1527 at the age of 58. None of his works were published until after his death. His negative reputation of “corrupt ruling” was continuously blasted. The word, Machiavellian, meaning corrupt government, came from his reputation. Machiavelli is said to be the “most notable political theorist-philosopher of all time.”
More About Machiavelli
In two of his works, The Prince and Discorsi, Machiavelli had a common theme: “All cities that ever at any time have been ruled by an absolute prince, by aristocrats or by the people, have had for their protection force combined with prudence, because the latter is not enough alone, and the first either does not produce things, or when they are produced, does not maintain them. Force and prudence, then, are the might of all the governments that ever have been or will be in the world.”
Summary of The Prince
"The Prince" was intended to act as a guide for on how a prince should maintain his power as well as his principality. >The Book explains the acquistion, expansion, and use of political power in italy. >The Book is compised into 9 sections -Defense and Military -Reputation of a Prince -Genorosity vs. Parsimony -Cruelty vs. Mercy -Avoiding contempt and hatred -Gaining honors -Nobles and staff -Avoiding flatterers -Fortunes
Summary of The Prince Cont.
Defense and military -Describes how a state can attack and defend its territory. - A prince must be able to establish his own army and not rely on the aid of others because his city won't be unified. - When under seige a prince must keep the morale of his people high in order overcome and help his citizens cooperate together. - A prince must never hire a mercenary army as they are unloyal,cowardly, costly. - A prince must hunt and landscape his surroundings and study with great military leaders.
Summary of The Prince Cont.
Reputation of a Prince - A prince must carry certain traits in order to govern his people but should know when and not to use them. - He must be merciful, faithful, humane, frank, and religious. Genorosity vs. Parsimony - If a prince is too generous then he will lose appreciation and lust for greed, as well as use all his resources. - A prince should be hated on by being stern than hated on being to generous.
