Lucrezia Borgia

Lucrezia Borgia, a woman of royalty or a victim of deception. A famous notoriety goes before as she earned a reputation as a an alleged poisoner. In actuality, historians believe that she has been an innocent woman, wrongfully reprimanded for her family, who killed nobles with the poison la cantarella. The idea of who is victimized by society, is evident, especially in William Shakespeare’s “comedy,” The Merchant of Venice. Through the play, he characters pertain to their predicaments as if everything in the world revolves around them. However, there is only one true victim, Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, while characters such as Antonio, and Portia are villains, deceiving the audience into believing that they are the victims. While Antonio willingness to help his friend Bassanio under any circumstances, and Portia being forced of marriage, both characters still confer to victimizing others to meet their own preferences . Shakespeare portrays Portia far off in Belmont, as an unmarried woman who inherited a fortune from her father, and…

Ferdinand II, King of Aragon plays a large role in Machiavelli’s The Prince. Although Machiavelli utilizes Cesare Borgia as the central example figure, Ferdinand II is the ultimate example of Machiavelli’s teachings and message. Ferdinand is ruthless, his mind is always preoccupied with war, he acts on his ambitions swiftly and before others can, and has achieved a balance of being both pious and cruel. In the text he’s described as “an almost new prince,” one whose example you can find none…

literature that describes the effective prince, this concept also comes up in his play La Mandragola which follows the story of Callimaco trying to conquer a beautiful married woman, Lucrezia. Controversy arises amongst readers over which character in the play is meant the be the true prince of the story. While there are many different theories the two biggest ones are that Callimaco is the true prince of the play, or that Lucrezia is the effective prince Machiavelli speaks of. Although it can…

of Rodrigo Borgia more famously known as Pope Alexander VI. Pope Alexander IV has been written into history as one of the most scandalous popes of the Renaissance era. His legacy is tarnished with alleged murders, incestuous relationships, and nepotism. Many biographies have been written about Rodrigo chiming in on the scandal involved in his house. There’s even a television drama series in which depicts some of the things that may have transpired…

becoming known as an art and of course the world renowned inventor, artist, visionary Leonardo Da Vinci and the many wonders he had to offer the Renaissance period that bled into our modern times. During the Renaissance period the women were usually the ones who stayed at home and supported their husbands in all of their endeavors. This was the way in Greece and Rome. They helped prepare their men in all ways of their mens ' lives (p.297). Most of these women were wealthy or of high middle…

What makes a book stand the test of time, and also remain as a notable perspective within politics; having been written over five-hundred years ago? As for Machiavelli’s The Prince, scholars and politicians continue to find themselves drawing back to many of his perspectives on politics, and the qualities a good ruler. His insights on political leadership has sparked much debate over time, which is exactly why many continue to pursuit an understanding on his viewpoints, and their applications to…

that the ruler controls. Machiavelli states in Chapter XII that “Mercenaries and auxiliaries are useless and dangerous…mercenaries are disunited, thirsty for power, undisciplined, and disloyal”. Machiavelli made it clear in his writings that he trusts no military other than one that is homegrown. Caesare Borgia was the son of Pope Alexander the VI, and was the Duke of Valentinois in France. In Machiavelli’s mind Borgia was the prime example of what a Prince should be. This is why Machiavelli…

At the time of writing 'Julius Caesar, ' Shakespeare would have known of the reputation of 'The Prince ' and the idea of the immoral 'Machiavel ', the mythical figure who would stop at nothing to gain his ends. This and his admiration of Cesare Borgia, a name associated with betrayal and murder, led to the general dislike of Machiavelli. The character in 'Julius Caesar ' who best represents this characterisation is Mark Antony, Caesar 's right hand man. In Acts II and III, following Caesar…

In The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli’s understanding of virtue and effective rule emphasizes the maintenance of political power and the disregard for morality, differing from the ideology of the classic political philosophers. Machiavelli’s concept of virtue is centered around the glorification of a ruler, facilitated by behavioural traits such as bravery, cleverness, deceptiveness, and ruthlessness. Effective rule requires these attributes, as the successful application of these characteristics…

helped them to become ruler. Because Trump is a business man and has no prior experience as a politician, nor does he have an extensive knowledge about the political process, some believe that Trump’s success is a result of good fortune working in his favor. If this is true, Machiavelli would warn Trump about the problems he might face if he does become president. Because Trump lived his life as a “private citizen,” rather than a politician, Trump would not “know how to hold [his] state,” “since…