Cesare Borgia

Cesare Borgia was born on September 13th, 1475 as the illegitimate son of Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo Borgia. Over the span of his life, Cesare would become a nobleman, politician, and even cardinal, being the first man to resign from the College of Cardinals. He showed himself as a truly gifted individual in all aspects of his life, so much as to even influence Machiavelli enough to be the inspiration for The Prince. Born in to a time when the Papacy was at the height of its spiritual and military prowess, Cesare Borgia skillfully used his position, status, and knack for power to obtain Pope Alexander’s and his own objectives at a pivotal moment in Renaissance history. Born to Rodrigo Borgia and his mistress Vannozza Catanei, Cesare was considered an illegitimate child just as were his three siblings Juan, Lucrezia, and Jofré Borgia. Although Cesare longed for a career as a military man and noble, “he was educated for a career in the church, and in 1480 Pope Sixtus IV dispensed him from the slur of illegitimacy so that he might hold ecclesiastical offices” (Mallett). Although his illegitimacy was cleared, this stain is something…

does Machiavelli recommend them? In Chapters 6 and 7, the vices that are considered useful and advisable are a prince should not avoid vices like cruelty and dishonest if it does not harm the state. Furthermore, there are ability and fortune that mitigate in becoming a prince. Machiavelli recommend them because it is the duty of a prince to protect his state. Describe Francesco Sforza and Cesare Borgia, as they are discussed in Chapter 7. Why does Machiavelli dedicate almost the entirety…

Take away the crutch, and the prince will lose their ability to sustain their regime because they lack the virtu to lead alone . Through the passage a significant detail is added to the original definition by exploring the concept of human action over fortuna through the actions of Cesare Borgia. Machiavelli’s views on leadership and power were a product of his environment. He lived during a period of political unrest in Florence that led to his exile. The Bonfire of the Vanities created a…

Another example of Borgia’s wisdom as a duke can be identified when examining the period of rule after he had taken over Romagna. Machiavelli is especially enthralled by Borgia’s cunning and effective use of cruelty. He even encourages the actions of Borgia to be “imitated” by future princes (29). This example of “cruelty-well-used”, as Machiavelli calls it, is recognized after Borgia notices the civil disunity within his kingdom. The subjects were so used to having their possessions taken from…

Machiavelli finds an example of a virtuous prince in Cesare Borgia, described as a skillful leader who was only defeated by the negative effects of fortuna (Ryan, 2012, p.371). On the other hand, Agathocles is presented as a tyrant, whose form of ruling was dishonorable. He was freely elected by the citizens of Syracuse, and then made himself a tyrant, holding this position (Ryan, 2012, p.377). However, a close analysis…

the city-states caused a change in social class that led to a large range of effects throughout Europe. Italy during the Renaissance was extremely corrupt, and the wealth in Italy was being taken from the nobles, such as the Pope, and being given to these ruthless and vindictive families who would eliminate their competition at any cost. Machiavelli at this time was witnessing all the corruption that was taking place in Italy which led to him writing The Prince. In the text, Machiavelli…

Machiavelli was an Italian political scientist. Many believe his teaching were that of evil and greed. As the political theorist that he was, He stressed the importance of brute, and even in some cases malicious force to keep the order of society, Anyone who defected from the prince's orders did not make it very far without some form of punishment following close by. To further back this claim, this paper will look into the evidence written by the man himself and others who cross examined his…

The actual documentary is called ‘Who’s Afraid of Machiavelli’ but you would be better off referring to the stimulus or stimulus clip). . This is evident in chapter 15 of his treatise, “If a ruler wants to survive, he’ll have to learn to stop being good, at least when the occasion demands”. The didactic tone of Machiavelli’s prose suggests that it is quintessential for a leader to disguise as a person who lacks morality. To further emphasise this point, he cites an example of Cesare Borgia; an…

Machiavelli stresses the fact that morality is not necessarily connected with the capability of ruling a state, and alludes to how political systems should be organized. If the principles of justice and morality need to be broken in order for the prosperity of the state, that is how the Prince would lead a political system, because Machiavelli believes the ends justify the means. When Machiavelli writes, “In the actions of all men, and especially of princes, where there is no court of appeal,…

Nicola Machiavelli’s book “The Prince” consists of theories and experiential advice on what are the true makings of an ideal prince and an effective government based on the life of Cesare Borgia. According to Machiavelli a good ruler should be ruthless and at times unethical in order to maintain power. In addition he stated that preparations for war should be the foremost occupation of a successful leader. Most importantly a successful prince should exhibit virtue. The first most emphasized…