He continually defends the people against the accusations of fickleness and unpredictability; stating that the custodianship of public freedom is safer in the hands of the plebeians than that of the upper class. Machiavelli states that the people are “wiser and more constant than a prince” . Therefore it is intriguing to read the contrast presented in ‘The Prince’ where we hear little of such convictions. In this work Machiavelli states that the common people are preoccupied with only one thing- their own self-interest. He says that men are “ungrateful, fickle, deceptive and deceiving, avoiders of danger, and eager to gain.
In one of Machiavelli quotes, he talked about what a prince could do to get out of trouble and to become a more better leader. He states, “[The Prince] is rendered despicable by being thought changeable, frivolous, effeminate, timid, and irresolute; this a prince must guard against as a rock of danger, and so contrive that his actions show grandeur, spirit, gravity, and fortitude...and let him adhere to his decisions so that no one many think of deceiving or cozening him.” A prince will be dishonored if he has the characteristics changeable, a carefree person, effeminate, showing a lack of confidence, and an uncertain person. If a prince contains these kinds of characteristics, then they need to immediately change themselves. They
Machiavelli’s virtue can also be understood as the manipulation of virtue and vice in order to achieve desired political effects. Although usually viewed differently by others, The Prince suggests that virtue and vice is not good and evil or black and white, but rather interchangeable shades of grey, therefore, Machiavelli’s idea of virtue is not of moral character, but of what is best for the preservation of the country. In Chapter 8 the idea is presented that the use of force can be considered virtuous if used in a proper manner. One can almost see The Prince as being a promoter of violence, as long as it justifies the end to a mean. This idea is further stressed in Chapter 14 when passion for the art of warfare is said to be “the only art awaiting one who commands” (p 88).
A king is easily open to corruption on several levels. First, the king is open to corruption by those who have money and are willing to give him money so that he will cater to their needs over the needs of others who maybe don't contribute to the king. Second, the king is open to corruption just from having the power of a king. Power can easily corrupt people and make them do things differently. Another aspect of the anti-kingship argument is that, in the case of the Bible, there should be no king because God had not planned for one.
This is because the ruling class only want to benefit their own selfish causes. Thrasymachus is referring to the notion that the weaker class is exploited constantly by the stronger class; laws are put into place to benefit the selfish and greedy. However, as Thrasymachus continues to deliberate what justice is, he agrees that what is right can not always be just. As rulers also make mistakes, act out of emotion, and could put laws in place which can be harmful to those it should protect. Thrasymachus agrees with Socrates’ conclusion that a ruler does not exercise his authority with his own interest but
Resisting the temptation to abuse one’s power is a challenge that only few people live up to if given the chance to do so without danger. The main goal of powerful leaders, should be to allow their people to pursue their own prosperity. Sadly, both moral and monetary corruption, are common in communistic regimes and dictatorships that started off promising prosperity and equality. History has shown, that the best way to prevent abuse of power is a constitution, free elections and an independent court system, which prevents a ruler from giving into the temptation of gaining absolute power. There are two main types of corruption - monetary and moral corruption.
This shows that the rebels were not totally against the King, so it would be unpopular for him to outright attack them. By the source saying, “the men of the North are able to defend themselves” it shows that there also skilled fighters amongst their ranks, yet another factor for the threat they posed to
Raphael refutes that there is high risk in giving the information he has to other kings due to the fact that kings prefer to maintain their superior image, which would be damaged should they listen to a man of lower social status. “Utopia” highlights certain characteristics that separate the island from modern government and make it an ideal way of life, yet there are points that could be argued by other philosophers to make this false. Therefore, More portrays an impractical outline that could never be achieved. Utopia has an abundance of characteristics that describes its government and society that make it the most ideal and perfect way of life. According to Raphael, not one person in the Utopian society puts themselves before others.
And that is his speech impediment. He has that blemish so that he as equal as everyone else and that he is not a perfect person. It shows that a life lost is a sacrifice for the greater good of the King’s, and the country in which they fight for. This shows that when the people come in contact with each other one must not aggravate another or the other shall be upset. It foreshadows the upcoming events.
The society in Robert Bolt’s A Man For All Seasons is one where self-advancement, expediency and pragmatism are more effective means of survival than acting solely in compliance with personal morals and principles. The demise of Sir Thomas More is, in effect, the demise of true morals and loyalty in the society. The Act of Supremacy simply highlights the corrupt nature of the society and the irony that a man of such admirable traits cannot survive while remaining true to himself, ultimately a martyr, renders him ‘too good’ to live and function in society. As More’s morals and sense of self are so closely intertwined “a man’s soul is his self!”, he feels that if any man compromises his own self in betraying their morals and perjures himself then “he needn’t hope to find himself again.” He would not be able to live at peace with himself if he perjured himself and swore to the oath, and hence has no option but to die. “ While More’s humanness is certainly apparent, particularly his idealism- he sees extending his silence to his family as “only a life-line” and is sure he will be safe in the “thickets of the law”- “we shan’t have to use it but it is comforting to have, is nowhere near the questionable traits of expediency and self-advancement as displayed by Richard Rich, his supposed “friend” who ultimately perjures himself to provide fabricated evidence to lead to More’s death “He said ‘Parliament has not the competence.’ Or words to that effect.” More, however is “more sorry for your [Rich] perjury than my peril”, further highlighting his true integrity and the fact that he is above the other members of society- he is thinking of Rich’s soul when he is about to be sentenced to his death, which he knows has been unfairly issued “the law is not an instrument of any kind.” Once realising that in the corrupt society that the court won’t “construe according to the