prince paper

Niccoló Machiavelli’s The Prince explores the theme of virtu, a quality that Machiavelli deems crucial for a successful prince. Virtu typically does not mean “virtue,” but rather the term connotes “masculinity,” “heroic quality, ingenuity, skill, ability, or prowess” (Bondanella, xli) Virtu is most commonly compared with fortuna, “the forces that work against human order and planning” (Bondanella xli). An authoritative and respected prince exerts his virtu in terms of power, which can be preserved, exercised or expanded. Machiavelli demonstrates his amorally pragmatic approach to the preservation, exercise, and expansion of power in his discussion of virtue in matters of reputation, military, and fortune.

Machiavelli explains the concept of virtu in the context of one’s reputation. In this context, Machiavelli is pragmatic. His writing reflects his idea that a prince should demonstrate flexibility and the preservation of power. In chapter 11, Machiavelli explores his ideas not simply in regards to a prince, but also to other leaders such as the pope. He believes, “His Holiness Pope Leo has found the papacy extremely powerful. It is to be hoped that, if his predecessors made it great by feats of arms, he will make it extremely great and venerable through his natural goodness and his countless virtues” (42). The idea of religion lends itself to stability; however, leaders tried to keep the papacy “weak and unstable” (41). The popes only ruled for brief periods. A pope, however, like a prince can be successful when he increases the power of the overall collective church, not of individuals, like Pope Julius. A strong leader and any group of power will face conflict, but a ruler’s reputation is everything. The pope chose to act for t...

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...lief that the ends justify the means. He describes a downfall in a prince, to be fortune, which he then compares to woman. His misogynistic belief explains that young, or inexperienced princes are more likely to allow fortuna to overcome them. They are gullible to the ways of a woman, or to fortuna (87). However, a virtuous prince does not allow women to overcome him. He understands the ways of fortuna and the possibilities of its benefits, but is wise enough to understand balance. Again, Machiavelli is focusing on the flexibility of one’s disposition. If a prince understands the time and place for the various ways in life both good and bad then he is more likely to be virtuous. Therefore, it is necessary to use force and appear immoral, like Machiavelli does to the modern reader because in reality it is all about the end goal and Machiavelli was a pragmatic man.