Machiavelli The Prince Analysis

Through his work, The Prince, Machiavelli goes into detail about the characteristics a prince should possess in order to be successful. His advice stems mainly from his view on human nature and his interest in protecting the state. Based on his principles, Machiavelli would oppose Beowulf’s method for ruling and propose suggestions on how to change his ways and become even greater through dominance and fear.

Machiavelli believes that a man has both good and bad qualities, but will put himself and his interests first when all things are equal. Machiavelli states, “They are ungrateful, fickle, deceptive and deceiving, avoiders of danger, eager to gain. As long as you serve their interests, they are devoted to you. But as soon as you need help they turn against you” (The Prince, 52). This statement is influential on his view of government. He also holds forth that as a ruler, “it is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both” (Machiavelli, The Prince, 52). Fear not only brings respect, but it is also externally based and predictable. It does not wear off if the base character stays the same. Whereas love is the opposite in that it is internally based and a feeling you choose to feel therefore it comes and goes.

Machiavelli believes that the best princes possess the qualities of both man and animal. “You should know there are two ways to fight: one while respecting the rules, the other with no holds barred. Men alone fight in the first fashion, and animals fight in the second” (Machiavelli, The Prince, 54). The two animals he is most fond of is the fox and the lion. The fox because of his stealth and “ability in sensing traps” and the lion because of his power and dominance (Machiavelli, The Prince, 54). ...

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...iavelli points out that the ways in which you will be hated are “seizing the property or women of your citizens, killing someone without reason, and putting your hands on someone else’s property” (The Prince, 52).

Overall, this would entail Beowulf to change his entire political structure and how he ruled. There is too much of a give and take relationship and no dominance exerted by Beowulf over his people. A leader must be not only garner respect, which he has done, but also have authority and control, which is weakened by the fact that he relies heavily on the thanes for security and protection over the state. Machiavelli’s principles would result in a more dominant stance that is also less generous and more skeptical, such as that of the image of the fox and the lion. This would allow Beowulf to achieve and solidify his rule by Machiavelli’s standards.