Essay on The prince Book by Niccolo Machiavelli in MLA format. Choose one European political leader who ruled from any time between 1450 2010 (the ruler can still be in power currently, however, MAY NOT choose any of the following leaders: Hitler, Stalin or Napoleon).
Prompt: Analyze the extent to which your chosen political leader followed, or did not follow, Machiavellis advice for successful rulership.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Influence of Machiavelli’s “The Prince” on the Leadership of Angela Merkel
Introduction
Niccolò Machiavelli’s seminal work, The Prince, remains a cornerstone of political theory, providing pragmatic insights into power dynamics and statecraft. Written in the early 16th century, Machiavelli’s treatise emphasizes the importance of pragmatism over morality in political leadership, arguing that the ends often justify the means. This essay will analyze the extent to which Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021, adhered to Machiavelli’s principles of successful rulership. Merkel’s leadership style, characterized by cautious pragmatism and consensus-building, exemplifies a nuanced interpretation of Machiavellian advice, demonstrating both alignment and divergence from his recommendations.
Thesis Statement
While Angela Merkel’s leadership reflected several of Machiavelli’s principles regarding statecraft and political maneuvering, her emphasis on democratic values and ethical governance diverged from Machiavelli’s often ruthless and opportunistic approach, suggesting a complex interplay between Machiavellian pragmatism and modern democratic ideals.
Machiavelli’s Principles
Machiavelli posits that effective rulers must be adaptable, pragmatic, and willing to employ deceit if necessary. He argues that a prince should cultivate a reputation for both being feared and loved but ultimately prioritize fear to maintain control (Machiavelli 49). Furthermore, he emphasizes the importance of understanding human nature and using it to one’s advantage, as well as the necessity of appearing virtuous while being prepared to act immorally when required (Machiavelli 61).
Merkel’s Pragmatic Leadership
Angela Merkel’s tenure as Chancellor is marked by a pragmatic approach to governance that mirrors some of Machiavelli’s recommendations. For instance, her adept handling of various crises—such as the Eurozone crisis, the refugee crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic—demonstrates her ability to navigate complex political landscapes effectively. Merkel’s decision to endorse a controversial open-door policy for refugees in 2015 aligns with Machiavellian adaptability; she recognized the potential long-term benefits for Germany in terms of labor supply and economic growth, despite the immediate political backlash (Müller).
Moreover, Merkel skillfully maintained her political power by fostering coalitions and forging consensus among disparate political factions. This strategy resonates with Machiavelli’s assertion that a ruler must be both a lion and a fox—capable of strength and cunning (Machiavelli 68). By prioritizing stability over confrontation, she avoided direct power struggles that could jeopardize her position.
Ethical Governance vs. Ruthlessness
However, Merkel’s approach also diverges significantly from Machiavellian doctrine. Unlike Machiavelli’s archetypal prince who may resort to deception or cruelty for self-preservation, Merkel maintained a commitment to democratic values and ethical governance. Her leadership was characterized by transparency, compassion, and a dedication to human rights—qualities that Machiavelli often deemed secondary to political expediency.
For example, Merkel’s insistence on upholding European unity during the Eurozone crisis demonstrated her belief in collaborative governance rather than unilateral action (Börzel). This stands in stark contrast to Machiavelli’s advice for rulers to prioritize their own interests over the common good. Merkel’s focus on ethical considerations highlights a fundamental difference between her governance style and Machiavellian principles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Angela Merkel’s leadership exhibited elements of Machiavellian pragmatism—particularly her adaptability in crisis management and coalition-building—her commitment to ethical governance and democratic principles reveals a significant divergence from Machiavelli’s often ruthless recommendations. Merkel’s tenure illustrates how modern leaders can navigate complex political realities while adhering to values that promote the common good. As such, her legacy serves as a testament to the evolving nature of political leadership in the context of contemporary democratic norms.
Works Cited
Börzel, Tanja A. “The European Union in Crisis: The Challenge of the Eurozone.” European Integration Online Papers, vol. 21, no. 1, 2017.
Machiavelli, Niccolò. The Prince. Translated by W.K. Marriott, 1908.
Müller, Jan Zielonka. “Germany’s Refugee Policy: Between Humanitarianism and Realpolitik.” Journal of European Integration, vol. 39, no. 3, 2017, pp. 273-286.
