Machiavelli/Dante Comparison

Machiavelli/Dante Comparison

Niccolò Machiavelli

Niccolò Machiavelli, quite possibly the single most influential political writer of all time, was born in Florence, Italy. In 1518, he published his literary masterpiece, The Prince, and has been associated with authoritarianism and government's cynical manipulation of its citizens ever since. This was, and is, unfair to Machiavelli, since his later writings (Discourses on Livy) pointed to a much more democratic and fairminded individual. Regardless of his true feelings, his influence created two new words for the international lexicon: Machiavellian and Machiavellianism. (Villari, 2004)

Machiavelli started his career in the Florentine government as a secretary, though his innate ability soon allowed him the opportunity to become involved with diplomacy. Although he met many important personages, none influenced him more than Cesare Borgia, a prince of the papal states and the model used for The Prince. From all accounts, Borgia was a cruel and heartless tyrant though wily and clever. Machiavelli did not agree with Borgia's methods or philosophy; he felt that Borgia could unite Italy—a situation Machiavelli longed for. However, when the republic was overthrown, Lorenzo de' Medici became the ruler. Lorenzo did not trust Machiavelli because of his support for the Republic and in 1513 had him thrown into prison and tortured. Afterward, he was banished to his estate at San Casciano.

The Prince was written as an effort to gain favor with Italy's new rulers, and Machiavelli dedicated the book to the Medicis. Unfortunately, Lorenzo disliked the book, and the Italian public detested it. They could not understand how anyone could think such cruel and unjust thoughts. In essence, The Prince was politics estranged from ethics; that is, one does whatever it takes to gain power and then maintains that power in any way possible. Everything else is secondary, whether it is morality, Christianity, or relationship. The only morality a leader needs is having the skills and the wherewithal to remain in power by any means necessary. Today, as in the 16th century, most people assume that Machiavelli was a proponent of totalitarian dictatorships, not realizing that when The Prince was written, Italy was in danger from foreign invaders. In Machiavelli's opinion, what was needed to save his country from destruction was a man with an iron will. Contrary to public opinion, Machiavelli was considered by individuals who knew him well to be both religious and moral.

Dante

Dante Alighieri not only a famous personality of the ancient world but was a great scholar. He was born in 1265, in, Florence. His mother, possibly of the famous Abati family, past away while Dante was still a boy. His dad was a unassuming moneylender and speculator in land, descended from an vintage but much turned down noble family; he past away when Dante was about eighteen. The seventh centennial of Dante's death will take location in September 2021, at these composing little more than a quarter 100 years in the future. After seven centuries his masterpiece, the Divine Comedy, extends to enlist and enthrall readers all over the world, both ...