Throughout history, people representative of different eras who are subjected to moral criticism exhibit similar fundamental characteristics. Between the glorious Julius Caesar, the victorious Donald Trump, and the triumphant Joseph Stalin, they all share the common identity of Machiavellian rulers. William Shakespeare’s play King Lear, similar to Machiavelli’s The Prince, demonstrates these attributes clearly and concisely. Shakespeare shows that such figures generally have supreme confidence and determination in themselves. Additionally, they are easily motivated by personal gain, which in their perspective outweighs the sacrifice of others. Most importantly, they often see no impediment to their belief that the end justifies the means. In
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One of the quintessential principles of Machiavelli is that success is generated through ability and fortune is merely a medium which brings opportunities to possible accomplishments. Edmund is a firm advocate of this ideology as his extreme self confidence is demonstrated through his very first soliloquy, which identifies his amoral nature and role in the situation. He states that, “Thoum Nature art my goddess; to thy law / My services are bound” (I.ii.1-2). Edmund claims that the only rules he obeys are the laws of nature. Fortune, religion, and even conventional laws cannot restrain him since his existence is above these powers. Edmund is convinced that he is the governor of his fate, so he decides to take matters into his own hands. Despite his position as the illegitimate son of Gloucester, he is determined to become the indisputable heir to his father’s property using his own aptitude. Edmund addresses his intent with an ambitious remark, “Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit” (I.ii.180). This shows that he is not discouraged by the label of bastardy that is given to him by birth. The constant comments and insults on his social status by his father have turned into a form of motivation for himself. Although he does not possess any land or title at this point in the play, he refuses to continue to live as a lowly peasant for the rest of his
One of the quintessential principles of Machiavelli is that success is generated through ability and fortune is merely a medium which brings opportunities to possible accomplishments. Edmund is a firm advocate of this ideology as his extreme self confidence is demonstrated through his very first soliloquy, which identifies his amoral nature and role in the situation. He states that, “Thoum Nature art my goddess; to thy law / My services are bound” (I.ii.1-2). Edmund claims that the only rules he obeys are the laws of nature. Fortune, religion, and even conventional laws cannot restrain him since his existence is above these powers. Edmund is convinced that he is the governor of his fate, so he decides to take matters into his own hands. Despite his position as the illegitimate son of Gloucester, he is determined to become the indisputable heir to his father’s property using his own aptitude. Edmund addresses his intent with an ambitious remark, “Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit” (I.ii.180). This shows that he is not discouraged by the label of bastardy that is given to him by birth. The constant comments and insults on his social status by his father have turned into a form of motivation for himself. Although he does not possess any land or title at this point in the play, he refuses to continue to live as a lowly peasant for the rest of his