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NOVELS: The Prince |
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| The Prince was written in the
setting of intense political conflict. It covered
ideas about how a prince should operate, control,
and supervise his reign. The book also discusses
ethic, virtues, and how to manage riches. The
guide advises using whatever means are necessary
to accomplish a goal. In the book’s
conclusion, Machiavelli pleas for Italian unity,
and a stop to foreign interference. In The Prince, advise is offered for a monarch with the sole intention of keeping that ruler in power. The book is an example of political reality. Unethical and violent actions by a ruler can be excused occasionally. As long as a ruler can get what he wants while making it appear to be in the good of the general public, any means of getting it can be justified. Much of what is advised takes on the "end justifies the means" attitude. Machiavelli’s The Prince was a controversial book in its time. It is written in the form of a political guide to Lorenzo the Magnificent, whom Machiavelli hoped would become Italy’s next ruler. The book was written in 1513 during the Renaissance. The story gives advise, suggests political policies, and offers situational examples. It has become an important work in political philosophy because of its harsh reality. The theme of The Prince is the reality of political power vs. idealism. The book concentrates not on how to gain power, but on how to maintain it. Machiavelli was not well liked by his peers or the public, who were shocked by what he wrote in the book. However, this book turns out to be a textbook for political thought even today. The Prince reveals what the government does, no matter how corrupt, in order to remain in power. The book is a masterpiece of prophesy and insight, and is still used in modern political science. The book’s greatness comes from the fact that it was relevant then, and it is still relevant in our times. The book simply tells the truth about politics, even if it is something no government would profess to. |