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“The Prince”by Niccolo Machiavelli

Essay on
“The Prince”
by Niccolo Machiavelli

Machiavelli’s “The Prince” in essence notes that anyone who hopes to gain the favor of a prince must present him with a gift. The book is his gift to Lorenzo de Medici, a Florentine ruler during the Renaissance period. Machiavelli lessens the value of the book, as was the custom, saying it is unworthy of acceptance. Nevertheless, it may prove useful to the prince to become powerful. The author has been close to the seats of power and has learned how princes gain and lose control of situations and people. Machiavelli implies an offer of alliance to Lorenzo who has the position that can make him powerful, but lacks the information that Machiavelli can give him.

Machiavelli thinks of “the people” as masses. Machiavelli does not trust the masses; they are as fickle as nobles or rulers. He makes distinctions between the actions and motivations of nobles and the people. However both on occasion can and must be used fo...

Posted by: Angelia Holliday

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