Ribner's 'Bolingbroke, A True Machiavellian'

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According to Irving Ribner, author of “Bolingbroke, A True Machiavellian,” Bolinbroke epitomizes the perfect “Machiavellian leader,” who is charismatic, wilful, loved by the masses, manipulative, and opportunistic. Shakespeare’s political representation of Bolingbroke in the eyes of the people follows true Machiavellian philosophy. The gardeners’ comment that Bolingbroke has the support of his “English peers,” which “weighs King Richard II down” (3.4. 90). Unlike Richard II, Bolingbroke has earned the trust and hearts of the people of England, which is an important characteristic of a good ruler and an important political move according to Machiavelli. Machiavelli writes in The Prince:
He who becomes ruler with the aid of the great maintains himself with more difficulty than he who becomes ruler with the aid of the people, because the first is in the position of a prince with a good …show more content…

The act begins with Bolingbroke executing Bushy and Green, under his own authority, for misleading the king as his advisor, which demonstrates a clear shift in power from Richard II to Bolingbroke. As Bolingbroke reveals his kingly strength and threatens the throne, Richard II is angered, but not fearful. Richard II believes that his kingship entitled by his birthright and as an elected official of God, the heavens will protect him: “God for his Richard hath in heavenly pay / A glorious angel. Then if angels fight, / Weak men must fall; for heaven still guards the right” (3.2.56-57). In the quote, Shakespeare presents the childish character of Richard II through his naïve assumptions of divine intervention. Richard II places all his faith in religion and God, calling upon “angels” to put down the rebellion, but he dismisses the power of raising an army. As a result, he is better at playing a king instead of being a king and guarding against his threatened

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