'the Prince' Machiavelli and 'Julius Caesar' Shakespeare Compare
- Submitted by: sarahcoupland1
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- Category: English
- Date Submitted: 08/02/2015 06:29 PM
- Pages: 5
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How has your understanding of ‘Intertextual Perspectives’ been shaped by your understanding of The Prince and Julius Caesar?
The understanding of Intertextual perspectives between The Prince and Julius Caesar provides a strong comparison regarding the corrupt nature of politics, humanity and the nature of mankind, leadership and power. Both texts focus on the Renaissance era from the 16th Century regarding political authority and the fight for a monarch, denying the principles of a republican government. The Prince is a non-fiction treatise written as an attempt to inform and persuade the Medici family to potentially reinstate him into the political system. Julius Caesar however, has an entertaining purpose commenting on social and political concerns within the Elizabethan Era. When considering both The Prince and Julius Caesar and their connection regarding the 16th century, I am able to gain greater understanding of the profound impact that context can potentially have on influencing human nature and the effect of incorporating historical references for caution and evidence to maintain power, and how similar virtues and morals are inflicted in modern society.
Machiavelli incorporates an idealistic view of historic leaders and their attempt towards gaining power, discussing the realistic view of humanity. Machiavelli’s advice within the prince builds on a cumulative view of humanity and the nature of social order that demands appropriate behavior from a prince. He states that a true leader must be “ruthless and talented” and prompt qualities that inflict praise from the public perspective, “generous, bold and brave, one considerate and one promiscuous”. Machiavelli lists idealistic qualities to emphasise the cumulative effect of attaining these characteristics, which contributes to rulers achieving security and success. The idealistic view of a leader is depicted by the qualities honored by the Roman public, and how a leader must appear to adopt these...
The understanding of Intertextual perspectives between The Prince and Julius Caesar provides a strong comparison regarding the corrupt nature of politics, humanity and the nature of mankind, leadership and power. Both texts focus on the Renaissance era from the 16th Century regarding political authority and the fight for a monarch, denying the principles of a republican government. The Prince is a non-fiction treatise written as an attempt to inform and persuade the Medici family to potentially reinstate him into the political system. Julius Caesar however, has an entertaining purpose commenting on social and political concerns within the Elizabethan Era. When considering both The Prince and Julius Caesar and their connection regarding the 16th century, I am able to gain greater understanding of the profound impact that context can potentially have on influencing human nature and the effect of incorporating historical references for caution and evidence to maintain power, and how similar virtues and morals are inflicted in modern society.
Machiavelli incorporates an idealistic view of historic leaders and their attempt towards gaining power, discussing the realistic view of humanity. Machiavelli’s advice within the prince builds on a cumulative view of humanity and the nature of social order that demands appropriate behavior from a prince. He states that a true leader must be “ruthless and talented” and prompt qualities that inflict praise from the public perspective, “generous, bold and brave, one considerate and one promiscuous”. Machiavelli lists idealistic qualities to emphasise the cumulative effect of attaining these characteristics, which contributes to rulers achieving security and success. The idealistic view of a leader is depicted by the qualities honored by the Roman public, and how a leader must appear to adopt these...