For Monday: Machiavelli’s The Prince, pp.
56-85
1. Considering that the prince’s only business is
war, how does Machiavelli regard neutrality?
Can a prince remain neutral when two neighboring states go to war? If not, which side should he support? Why might this be one of the most
significant decisions a prince can make?
2. What does it mean when Machiavelli writes,
“Men in general judge by their eyes rather than by their hands” (58)? How might this underline Machiavelli’s
essential advice to the prince—and to any Renaissance gentleman who desires
power?
3. In a world of turncoats, flatterers, and
assassins, whom should a prince turn to for advice? What considerations does Machiavelli urge when compiling a
prince’s personal staff? Why might this
decision make or break a prince’s rule?
4. Toward the end of the book, Machiavelli writes that “because fortune is a woman...if she is to be submissive it is necessary to beat and coerce her” (81). Why does Machiavelli personify fortune as a woman, and what does it mean to “beat” fortune as a woman? (as a side note, what do you think this says about Renaissance culture?)
2. In war there is a time when a prince may have to be cruel and get his “hands” dirty to win a battle. Often a battle is not something pretty to see, so to make things seem pleasant to others, may be deadly in the end.
ReplyDelete3. The prince needs to choose someone who is competent and loyal, or he could be criticized. If the prince has an advisor who flatters and he may be later despised and not respected. However, the prince should always ask for advice when he needs it and demand the truth, because withholding the truth may destroy him. A prince needs to be wise himself or have a person he trust to advise him.
Good, though on #2, I think he's talking more about the people's eyes/hands than his own. Why do they look with their eyes and not with their hands? In a way, why shouldn't you let the people 'feel' you, but only see you from a distance (or not at all)?
DeleteAndrew Reeves
ReplyDelete1. Considering the prince's only business is war, Machiavelli regards neutrality as ones downfall. You must pick a side if neighboring states go to war, lest both the victor and loser turn on your for not helping them. If you side with the victor, the loser cannot try to oppose you for fear of being defeated at the hands of those that already beat you. If you side with the loser, you further cement your relationship with the country and have time to build power to try to take over the previous victor.
2. Machiavelli writes, "Men in general judge by their eyes rather than by their hands", This basically means that men are fooled by appearances. This underlines Machiavelli's advice to the prince because the picture of the Renaissance gentleman is to make yourself look perfect; hide your flaws and accent your strengths. Basically he tells the prince that all men are liars and to constantly be on the lookout for people who aren't what they appear to be.
Great responses--you not only have to look out for how people see you, but you have to look past the 'strong' country and side with the one that is most advantageous to you. Sometimes, that's the 'loser.'
Delete2. I believe what this means is that perception is in fact a reality. Because you appear strong and dignified you will be viewed as such regardless of what happens behind closed doors. You only need appear competent and powerful to attain the power you seek. If you show any weaknesses the masses (commoners) will seek you out and destroy you. Thus, you must maintain this front endlessly to stay in power.
ReplyDelete3. Ultimately a prince should not rely on any other person for advice in his affairs. He should employ only people that he trusts, that are not attempting to gain power or wealth for themselves, and should utilize them to amplify the princes’ goals and agendas. The prince should have one servant that he trusts to help employ his agenda. This goes against the principles set forth that keeps him from trusting people around him that are as greedy and power-hungry as he is. The prince should also avoid flatterers at all costs and should protect against assassins by having his people armed at all times. He should keep a military presence around him at all times.
Great responses; he can't show weakness, so his public face--his advisors--must do the same, to an even greater degree. People see them, not the prince, so they become his true identity. Therefore they should be smarter than he is, yet even more dependent.
Delete1. Machiavelli adamantly insists a good prince will not remain neutral during a war. He explains that if a prince does not choose a side and openly wage war, he “will always be the prey of whoever wins, to the pleasure and satisfaction of the one who was defeated” (110). If a prince chooses to remain neutral, he can expect a suspect relationship with the victor, who is unlikely to assist the neutral party in times of need, and the party who was defeated will not give the neutral party refuge when the victors attack because they did not come to their aid first. Machiavelli states that blatantly supporting one side will either get you in an obligatory relationship with the victor if you help him win, because “men are never so dishonest that in a very great example of ingratitude they would oppress you” (110), or you can at least take refuge with the defeated if you find yourself on the losing side.
ReplyDelete2. This advice from Machiavelli somewhat reminded me of the elephant story we discussed in relation to 1001 Nights, however, instead of assuming what the light reveals does not contradict itself, Machiavelli assures his reader that things are not what they seem either in the role of the prince or the public. In keeping with the theme of animals and playing contradicting roles, Machiavelli says a successful prince is like the "most ferocious lion and a most clever fox, and he will see him feared and revered by everyone" (102). The assumption that men judge by their eyes before their hands directly feeds into the Renaissance instruction for a man to always appear nonchalant so that even people who know what you've experienced are impressed by your unaffectedness.
Great connection: it's similar, though the moral is quite different! :) However, he must be all things to all people, though to himself he must change by the hour. People can only see a limited part of him in the "darkness", which is advantageous for him. If the saw him in the full light of day, he would be killed outright!
Delete2) Every man needs to look perfect. He doesn't have to act right as long as he has the appearance of being a good man. He is also be deceitful in trying to get his way by showing his appearance off them his actual knowledge.
ReplyDelete3) The prince needs to be advised by somebody that he can trust. He wants them to be loyal. The prince shouldn't have to be all on his own. Because he wants to somebody to be able to give him advice on what is going on with the citizens and what they need.
Good responses, especially since he can trust no one--but he HAS to trust his advisors. So how does he know who to trust? What is the 'test' for picking out the right inner circle?
Delete2.) It seems like in this time everyone wants to seem perfect to everyone they interact with so I think Machiavelli is trying to say that he needs to kind of rule from a distance so that none of his contemporaries can see his imperfections and question his power and ruling authority.
ReplyDelete4.) I think Machiavelli's use of this metaphor is spot on because I think fortune is like a woman in the fact that things are great one minute and then they can be terrible the next. He also says that you have to "beat" fortune I think by that he means you always have to stay ahead of the game and you should always be doing something new and creative. Like that one old say goes "fortune rewards the bold."
albanie beck
ReplyDelete2. I think that the Prince was looked at as the perfect renaissance man. he may not do everything right just as long as he looks good doing it. even people back then judged others by their looks just like they are now you should never judge a book by its cover. Machiavelli said to hide your flaws and show more of your strengths.
3. the person that gives the prince advice needs to be someone he can trustworthy, loyal, and honest. if his advisor does or says something to the prince and the prince does it and it makes him look bad then that could reflect badly on his people and country. so he needs to find a good advisor that he can trusts. since the people see the prince more than the advisor.
Margaret Mitchell
ReplyDelete2. I think what Machiavelli means by this is that men judge more so by what they see, looks of a man. Rather than what he is actually capable of with looks set aside. This underlines the advice given to the Prince because it in a way makes him realize that people do the same to him, the person in power. Also it goes hand and hand with his perception of the “ideal” man. Mostly in part because they must look or be well rounded individuals.
3. Someone that the prince can turn to for advice is very unheard of. In the book it makes to believe that all the things you can tell, can be used against you if you inform a wrong individual. Therefore, I think that he much rather the prince turn to the book, rather than another person unless he absolutely needs to. He says that “ There is one test which never fails; when you see the servant thinking more of his own profit in everything, such a man will never make a good servants, nor will you ever be able to trust him; because he who has the state of another in his hands out never to think of himself…” This decision will make or break a princes rule because who he has as servants and people he would ask for advice, will make all the difference. Like stated above, if a person is more so looking for what they can get out of a situation then they aren’t going to keep your secrets and are more likely to give you false advice.
Kyle Straughn
ReplyDelete1. Machiavelli regards neutrality negatively. As he says in there world of constant war there is no advantage in not declaring a side as you invariably fall prey to the conqueror. While it is always preferable to enter into alliance with the one who will be the victor it is still better to enter into an uncertain venture than none at all.
2. Machiavelli is saying that the essential thing for any prince is that he and his actions are pleasant to the eye as few will have the chance to get close enough to discover the princes actual substance. This applies universally because being a Renaissance man is all about appearances.