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Machiavelli in Connections with Hamlet

The play “Hamlet” closely resembles many of Machiavelli’s writings. It uses many of the same character traits as well as the way the plot is developed. Hamlet is a great example of a Machiavellian character as he shows all the great attributes needed to become the best king of Denmark. Another great example would be Claudius as he would do anything to get what he wants and to maintain that thing once he has received it. Machiavelli also wrote a play called “The Prince”. This play compares and contrasts the ideas used by Hamlet to stay in power as Prince of Denmark.

One of Machiavelli’s most famous writing is “The Prince”. A careless reading of The Prince could easily lead one to believe that it’s central argument is "the ends justify the means" - which really means that any evil action can be justified if it is done for a good purpose. The play written by Machiavelli titled “Prince” is a piece of work that demonstrates the proper course of action in which a prince needs to take to stay in or gain power of the thrown. A prince must be shown to be a good man until the time when conflict arises at which point he must be prepared to act conniving. Whenever they speak they must be shown to be a good man, kind, honest and in good faith. Before he decides to act crazy Hamlet is shown to have all of these qualities and more making him a perfect match for the next heir to the thrown.

Machiavelli says that a new Prince, one with no hereditary relations, must work harder and do some bad things to gain control of the thrown. In a way Hamlet is a new prince because he was next in line for the thrown but then his uncle took his place and he now must show that he is the next best thing after Claudius, and he does do evil things to get the power. Such as trying to make everyone believe he is crazy, as well as the torture he puts Ophelia through. Not to mention the murders he commits.