Essay on The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli: Summary and Analysis

This essay provides a summary and analysis of Niccolo Machiavelli's influential work, "The Prince." It explores the context of the book's creation, highlighting the miserable state of Italy in the fifteenth century and Machiavelli's belief that the Medici family could restore the country to glory. The essay summarizes the book's central theme: the characteristics of an ideal prince, including the need for cunning, cruelty, and the ability to balance the goodwill of the people with the fear they hold. It discusses the importance of a strong army and the significance of understanding the prince's enemies. The essay also explores the relevance of Machiavelli's ideas in contemporary times. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of the prince's ability to lead, command respect, and maintain the loyalty of both friends and subjects.

Running head: THE PRINCE BY NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1THE PRINCE BY NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI
Niccolo Machiavelli is one of the most important political philosophers within the field
of politics. He belonged to the Middle Ages of human history but his ideology and political
thinking was so forward looking and progressive that his work finds relevance even in the
modern contemporary world (Machiavelli, 2017). This essay seeks to discuss the summary of the
book “The Prince” and to analyze the importance of the dictates of the book in the present times.
“The Prince” is a book outlining the necessary human nature and characteristics looked
for in the ideal prince who will have the ability to rule efficiently and maintain peace and order
in his kingdom (Machiavelli & Thomson, 2018). Niccolo Machiavelli wrote this book keeping in
mind the existing miserable condition of Italy during the fifteenth century. He believed that it
depended on the Medici family of Italy to take measures which will revive the country and take
it back to the path of glory. The story of “The Prince” is a story regarding the necessary conduct
of the ideal prince and how he should behave with his courtiers and enemies. The book also
outlines the various types of armies that is possible in a kingdom. The last few Chapters of the
book focuses on the despicable condition of Italy during the sixteenth century which necessitated
the prince to take a guided action to rectify the situation.
For this purpose, Niccolo Machiavelli listed out certain desired characteristic of the
‘prince’ such as the prince must be sly and cruel like a fox while also being brave like a lion
(Connell & Machiavelli, 2016). Both these qualities should coexist together in order for the
prince to work efficiently with his enemies and friends. Moreover, the prince must, at all times,
keep his enemies closer than his friends. By way of this, the prince will be able to keep his
enemies appeased or at least will be able to determine what are the malicious intentions of the
enemies are and can take appropriate measures to counteract them. Machiavelli opined that the

2THE PRINCE BY NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI
goodwill of the people is more necessary for the prince than their fear. It is always easy to rule
over them who love and respect them.
Machiavelli also talked about the various types of armies which exist in a kingdom. It is
the army which leads the kingdom to victory and glory and hence, the type of army should be
properly formed and taken care of. Machiavelli opined that it the traditional kind of army
consisting of the people from the native land, which is most desirable and needed (Quinn &
Worthy, 2017).
To conclude, it is observed that “The Prince” was necessitated because of the prevailing
condition of Italy. The Prince is that character who has the ability to lead his kingdom into glory.
His character is such which commands respect from both hos friends and enemies. The army
formed will be loyal to the prince and he will also be able to command the loyalty of his subjects.

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References:
Connell, W. J., & Machiavelli, N. (2016). The Prince: with Related Documents. Macmillan
Higher Education.
Machiavelli, N. (2017). The Works of Niccolò Machiavelli. Starkey.
Machiavelli, N., & Thomson, N. H. (2018). Machiavelli: The Prince (Cambridge Texts in the
History of Political Thought). CDED.
Quinn, R., & Worthy, B. (2017). The Prince. Macat Library.