Machiavelli's 'The Prince'

I hope I've spelt Machiavelli right :s-smilie:

Has anyone read or studied this for their course? I'm just wondering what it's like to study; I'm planning to read it soon in preparation for uni applications.

Easy? Hard? Worth it?

Thanks :smile:

Reply 1

Erzan

I am currently doing my AS levels, half way through it and i am finding Niccolò Machiavelli views rather extreme; changing ones moral principles to fit circumstances! but my politics and government teacher told me i should read on and complete the book before judge.

Reply 2

unknown demon

You need to read discourses as well, reading the prince is not enough. I suggest after you read that read Quentin's Skinners books on Machiavelli.

Reply 3

tomdav

I read this in preperation for my uni application as well, it seemed to do the job on my personal statement and it was pretty interesting. I wasn't picked up on it in my Oxbridge interview although I had prepared a little on how it still applies to modern day, but I can't really claim to have studied it. It did the job on the personal statement though and was really interesting to read. As the above poster says Machiavelli actual opinions come through more in Discourses rather than the Prince.

Reply 4

evil groove

brimstone

I hope I've spelt Machiavelli right :s-smilie:

Has anyone read or studied this for their course? I'm just wondering what it's like to study; I'm planning to read it soon in preparation for uni applications.

Easy? Hard? Worth it?

Thanks :smile:

I'd read it anyway if I were you, not just for uni. :smile:

I picked it up in the library one day at college and found it really enjoyable. Perhaps I will read it again soon. I think it'll take a few reads for it all to go in!

Reply 5

unknown demon

read it in the context of republicanism so you can conceptualise it, alot of it is rhetoric, anecdote and history some of it ridiculously hard to understand I must admit. But all quite interesting, but as I've stated you do need to read the discourses, the prince is not enough to completely understand his work.

Reply 6

tomdav

My copy had an introduction in it which explained alot of of his significant points and gave historical context, it was ver helpful to read that before the text itself; something you might like to consider :smile:

Reply 7

-Pete-

Probably the most readable book I've read in political theory in first year. BTW 'The Prince' was written as a guide for princes, it's not meant to be a moralistic code, simply the most pragmatic approach to rule.

Reply 8

unknown demon

or one which glorifies bloodshed.....

Reply 9

-Pete-

unknown demon

or one which glorifies bloodshed.....

Machiavelli is pretty clear that there are acts which are not glorious "it cannot be called virtue to kill one’s fellow citizens, to betray allies, to be without faith, without pity, without religion; by these means one can acquire power but not glory "

Reply 10

unknown demon

But the behaviour clearly infers what has to be done to maintain the order of the republic should be the will of the prince. behaviour( of the devious kind) is paramount to ensure enemies do not attack you.

Reply 11

NickkO

I have read this as part of a subject on uni (I follow some subjects at the local uni). We did not read the entire book, but my professor highlighted the most important bits. I thought it was very interesting, and would recommend it to anyone. It's timeless; it can be applied nowadays as well. I found it quite interesting how he stated that virtues are not always a good thing (if a ruler is generous, he will give away all the state's money away to ridiculous purposes etc), and how it is good to be feared but bad to be hated.