Henry Vs Machiavelli Essay

The Renaissance and the Middle Ages had very different values, which affected how their leaders ruled. Machiavelli and Henry V had many differences, but also had common ground. Although neither was a better leader than the other, their times definitely influenced how they used their power. Machiavelli was more prone to intimidation, by invoking fear within his people, while Henry looked to be loved. Henry was not one to use deceit either, while Machiavelli felt that the ends justified the means. Clearly, these two leaders were very different, and their religious views emphasize this discrepancy. Unlike Machiavelli, Henry V was a devout Catholic man, which shows in how he ruled. Particularly in war, Henry called upon God several times during
Henry V, on the contrary, wanted to be loved, and was willing to compromise to be admired as so. While at Agincourt, Henry pretends to be a common soldier, to see what his men truly felt about the war. He wanted to be a better commander, and by asking as himself, the soldiers may not have necessarily been as honest with him. The Earl of Cambridge claims that “Never was monarch better fear'd and loved Than is [Henry]: there's not, I think, a subject That sits in heart-grief and uneasiness Under the sweet shade of [his] government” (Shakespeare, II, ii, 660-663). Coming from a person who conspired against Henry, it is reasonable to believe that Henry was well-respected and admired as a leader during the Middle Ages. The times in which Henry V and Machiavelli ruled had an impact on how they ruled. Machiavelli was seen as a much crueler, manipulative leader, but that was affected by societal expectations during the Renaissance. The religious connotations in particular of the Middle Ages made Henry seem like a much more mellow leader. In reality, both of their styles of ruling were perfectly acceptable for their epochs. Although neither was a better leader than the other, their times definitely influenced how they used their