Preview

Virtu and Fortune in Prince

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
904 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Virtu and Fortune in Prince
DENÝZ BAÞOÐLU 28483859748

VIRTÙ AND FORTUNE OF A PRINCE

The Prince, written by Machiavelli is concerned with the issues politics, ruling a state and how a ruler or a leader should be. The key properties of a ruler are represented by Machiavelli in details and the inner and outer effects of the success in ruling are mentioned. One of the most important topics in The Prince is about the relationship of skillfulness (virtù) of the ruler and his good or bad chance (fortune) and their effects on gaining and keeping the power. Virtù, which has the present meaning of manliness, is used by Machiavelli as having skills, strength, intelligence and prudence of a ruler. It is the inner ability to gain the power and not to lose it easily. Fortuna, with the present use, fortune is explained as the word of God and the luck and opportunity that is given to the ruler. A ruler by fortune is dependent to outer sources that has given him the power. When a private individual becomes a ruler, he will need both his inner skills and a good chance to show them. The relationship of fortune and the virtù will bring him the success. Without a chance, the skills will not find a way to show them while gaining the power, and without the skills, given chance can not be used effectively for a long time.
Machiavelli shows some examples from the history such as Moses, Cyrus, Romulus and Theseus. All of the mentioned rulers have their good chance once and they use this chance in their own way by showing all their skills and strength. These rulers do not depend on given opportunities but work to make their success long-lasting. As Machiavelli states that "the fortune determines one half of the actions", the other half is controlled by the person himself (pg.74). This is why the given examples are relevant and important to explain the relationship between fortune and virtù. Moreover, Hiero of Syracuse who is the ruler of Syracuse is an example that explains the role of
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Joseph Stalin Dbq Analysis
    • 1113 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Joseph Stalin Dbq Analysis

    Over the course of time, rulers are known as sovereigns who protect their empire as well as their people. They are required to sustain order, harmony as well as being content with their empire. Throughout history we have seen many leaders the good & the bad. Not all leaders were willing to listen to their people, as well as giving them what they want but some enforced their power and struck fear into their people. Rulers did many things throughout the course of history to show and acquire dominance across their empire, Louis XIV of France & Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union are prime examples who used terror and manipulation to gain sovereignty of their empires.…

    • 1113 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Response to Essay (Ap Euro) Like a Lion and Like a Fox
    • 649 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Response to Essay (Ap Euro) Like a Lion and Like a Fox

    Machiavelli's suggestion that a ruler should rule like both a lion and a fox is exemplified to very different degrees with the monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain, and Louis XI of France. Isabella and Ferdinand were strong, ferocious leaders who implemented local and state level authority impressively. They also cleverly established a guilded appearance as religious figures connected through diplomatic alliance to the Catholic church. They follow Machiavelli's suggestion to the T. Louis XI of France, tells a different tale. Although he was known as the “Spider King”, infamous of his scheming, he was cleverly created footholds in the capitalistic realm of his country. His greatest downfall was his lack of foresight, and sheepish tendencies toward reclusiveness and isolation.…

    • 649 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Who Was the Better Leader, Louis Xiv or Peter the Great?
    • 615 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Who Was the Better Leader, Louis Xiv or Peter the Great?

    Luck was also a necessary condition for Louis XIV to become a successful leader. Why he did similar things as Peter the Great but always made them better in more efficient way. France had XX before Louis became the monarch…

    • 615 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Was the Age of Absolutism a Period of Prosperity or Tyranny?
    • 709 Words
    • 1 Page

    Was the Age of Absolutism a Period of Prosperity or Tyranny?

    rules and guidelines made the kings seem selfish. Machiavelli had said in his book how a ruler…

    • 709 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Rulers That Followed the Prince by Machiavelli
    • 852 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Rulers That Followed the Prince by Machiavelli

    Niccolò Machiavelli suggested in The Prince that a ruler should behave as both a fox and a lion, being both loved and feared. There are clever rulers who were strategic, courageous rulers who were effective, and successful rulers who possessed both qualities. Elizabeth I of England and Henery IV of France were two great rulers from Europe that were able to personify Machiavelli 's advice.…

    • 852 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Machiavelli The Prince Research Paper
    • 1111 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Machiavelli The Prince Research Paper

    The all-encompassing term Machiavelli uses for the prince's various necessary traits is "virtu." A ruler in possession of "virtu," while not completely free from the possible negative effects of fortune, is in far better position to deal with whatever circumstances may…

    • 1111 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Machiavelli: the Prince
    • 1566 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Machiavelli: the Prince

    Virtue 4: Machiavelli writes that for a private citizen to become a prince, he needs to have fortune or ability. Among those who became princes through ability, Machiavelli cites Moses, Cyrus, Romulus, and Theseus. Using them as examples, Machiavelli states that an important component of ability is recognizing an opportunity and acting on it. A new prince who comes to rule over a new…

    • 1566 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Comparing Gilgamesh And Beowulf
    • 1224 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Comparing Gilgamesh And Beowulf

    Keeping his kingdom together and having their faith is what makes a Prince a successful…

    • 1224 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Machiavelli vs. Castiglione
    • 1540 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Machiavelli vs. Castiglione

    Machiavelli's philosophy was that "The end justifies the means." This meant that the end result is the most important, and how you got there was of no importance. The Prince was a book of advice to rules on how to found a state and how to stay in power. Machiavelli explained in his book the many different ways to gain power. One way was to acquire land. The four methods that he discusses to acquire more land is: Your own arms and virtue, fortune, others' arms, and inequity. To Machiavelli, the word virtue meant manliness and strength. Machiavelli also advocates the use of evil to achieve any goals. He gives an example of Agathocles of Syracuse as a proof that this works and will enable the prince to rule the land peacefully through fear. "Born of a potter, this one always had an iniquitous life throughout his years: nonetheless, he accomplished his iniquities with such virtue of spirit and of body that, having joined the militia, he rose through its ranks to become praetor of Syracuse. Being established in rank, and having decided to become prince and to keep with violence and without obligation to others what had been conceded him by agreement... ...one morning he convened the people and the senate of Syracuse, as if he had had to deliberate things pertinent to the republic; and at a preordained nod…

    • 1540 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Prince/Man of All Seasons: Ethics
    • 841 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Prince/Man of All Seasons: Ethics

    In his book The Prince, Machiavelli presents a theory asserting that man needs a powerful leader in order to be successful. Machiavelli felt that a Prince must act in a way that guaranteed stability and order. However, his emphasis on political convenience was not in the service of the individual power of a Prince, but in allowing that Prince to do what was necessary for the sake of the people. He argues that as a leader, one has the duty to be dishonest or otherwise deceive its people in times of need. This is further clarified when he addresses the question of whether it is better to be feared or loved.…

    • 841 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Genghis Khan Quotes
    • 1763 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Genghis Khan Quotes

    Power was the main thing everyone wanted to have. Obtaining it was another problem. For example, leaders gained power through those who followed them and if no one did, they could not be a leader. They had to be able to succeed in hardships and be able to go through difficulty in order to gain popularity and power. An example of a leader who earned his power by displaying his ability of making strategies that encouraged people to join him on his conquests and expeditions was Alexander the Great. Although some successful leaders are born into a high rank, the man who would eventually become Genghis Khan, Temujin, was born into poverty and misfortune. With great difficulty, Temujin overcame his disadvantage to become a powerful…

    • 1763 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Developing The Power To Achieve Success During World War II
    • 552 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Developing The Power To Achieve Success During World War II

    Leaders who have great power and wealth have unleashed the power within themselves to produce good or even great results with their lives. They have become the people who can influence others and show them the way. They have accomplished big things and earned a lot of money in the process.…

    • 552 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Is Hamlet A Good Leader
    • 755 Words
    • 4 Pages

    How Is Hamlet A Good Leader

    Machiavelli’s text, The Prince, includes a list of traits that he thought a Prince should possess. An…

    • 755 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    President Machiavelli Bush
    • 868 Words
    • 4 Pages

    President Machiavelli Bush

    George W. Bush, our current President, must keep a copy of Machiavelli’s most celebrated work, “The Prince “(1513), on his desk in the Oval Office. In my opinion, Bush and his administration’s actions mimic Machiavelli’s advice to the Prince on the tactics that he should use to stay in power. I am going to discuss how President Bush uses Machiavellian principles.…

    • 868 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Machiavelli's Discourses Summary
    • 497 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Machiavelli's Discourses Summary

    which will not be difficult, for all they ask is not to be oppressed… all else seek to win the populace over to his side. Which will be easy to do if he protects their interests” (Machiavelli 32). This an important point that every ruler should have into account if they want to have a loyal populace, it is in some way logical and realist: if a ruler stays in good terms with his people, then they will follow him; if this person is not on the side of the people, then why should the people should him?…

    • 497 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics