Machiavelli And Shakespeare Essay - 1097 Words

Machiavelli and Shakespeare reveal similar underlying views on authority and leadership however they provide different perspectives due to their form, context and purpose. Niccolo Machiavelli’s laudatory treatise The Prince (1515) was written in a turbulent Renaissance Italy after the return of the De’ Medici’s as an attempt to regain political power. Machiavelli reveals his perspective on authority and leadership by advocating the appearance of virtue and necessary cruelty as a means of maintaining power. William Shakespeare’s tragedy Julius Caesar (1599) differs his perspective on authority and leadership due to his Elizabethan audience yet reveals similar attitudes. Through a dramatic representation it is revealed that manipulation and†¦show more content†¦The Prince presents this understanding in his handbook for Lorenzo de’ Medici yet Shakespeare presents his perspective in a dramatic representation. Shakespeare reveals a similar notion to Machiavelli in relation to authority and leadership through the character of Antony. Antony uses a similar strategy to Machiavelli and Borgia by effectively manipulating Brutus and the plebeians for his own benefit. Shakespeare set Julius Caesar in Ancient Rome to portray the concerns prevalent in Elizabethan England. This era consisted of a patriarchal hierarchy which created the opportunistic man and ability to take greed, similar to what Antony embodies. After Caesar’s death Antony possesses the role of the true Machiavel through his appearance of virtue. Antony differs to Machiavelli’s attitude as he explores this value through revenge motives. Antony manipulates the conspirators through the physical action of â€Å"first, Marcus Brutus, I will shake with you†. This is symbolic as it aligns Antony with Brutus thus initiating his manipulative nature. Antony’s funeral speech highlights the appearance of virtue to m anipulate the plebeians due to his position of authority. The use of repotia in â€Å"but Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honourable man† illustrates the manipulation and raises doubt in the crowd’s mind. Antony is able to weaken Brutus’ argument and eventually thisShow MoreRelated Shakespeare on Machiavelli: The Prince in Richard III Essay1491 Words   |  6 PagesShakespeare on Machiavelli:   The Prince in Richard III   Ã‚  Ã‚   According to many, Shakespeare intentionally portrays Richard III in ways that would have the world hail him as the ultimate Machiavel.   This build up only serves to further the dramatic irony when Richard falls from his throne.   The nature of Richards character is key to discovering the commentary Shakespeare is delivering on the nature of tyrants.   By setting up Richard to be seen as the ultimate Machiavel, only to have himRead MoreMachiavelli ´s Principle in Macbeth by William Shakespeare Essay1648 Words   |  7 PagesTHESIS STATEMENT Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, applies the Machiavellian principles of how princes should properly conduct themselves which is directly applied through Duncan, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and Malcolm. 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