European Influence of Machiavelli
The influence of Niccolò Machiavelli (1469 - 1527) on European poliical and philosophical thought and literature was immense in the 16th and 17th century, particularly with his famous treatise on politics and statecraft: Il Principe (written 1513 - published 1531). This fame, however, was very much contrasted both in Italy and in Europe.
In Italy, Il Principe was officially condemned by the Church at the Council of Trento (1545) and in 1559 the book was finally included in the Indice dei Libri Proibiti because of its atheism and anthi-religious doctrines. In many European countries, on the other hand, Il Principe was considered to be he instrument of Jesuit propaganda against Protestants and Catholics because he was the first to separate politics from ethics or religion. In his treatise, Machiavelli portrayed not the ideal ruler but the kind of ruler that emerged from a study of past and present history.
The Legend of Machiavelli in England
The fortunes of Machiavelli in England follow two phases which can be explained within the context of England's dualistic relationship with Italy: in the first, Machiavelli was greatly admired as a profound thinker and a writer of genius; in the second, he became the embodiment of the European Catholic forces and doctrines against which the emergent English Protestant state was fighting. Machiavelism became synonymous with atheism and a treacherous way of killing, especially with poison - a favourite practice of Cesare Borgia, the supposed model of Machiavelli's Prince. Popular fantasy came to identify Machiavelli's name, Niccolò, with "Old Nick", the devil's popular nickname.
Machiavelli on the Elizabethan stage
Elizabethan playwrights were quick to seize on the dramatic possibilities offered by the Protestant deformation of Machiavelli into a diabolical, cunning and evil figure. Parts of this legend went into the dramatic characters we usually define as "villains", which were the most popular on the Elizabethan stage. The most perfect type of Machiavellian villain, however, is Shakespeare's Richard III .
In Richard III the main character puts into practice Machiavelli's famous saying: the end justifies the means. To reach his purpose - becoming king of England - Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, uses deceit, lies, treachery, violence. He acts both like a lion and a fox, which is again a famous Machiavellian image.
Many of Shakespeare's villains clearly possess Machiavellian traits: in Othello, Iago, for his duplicity and ability to hide his real intentions; in Macbeth, Lady Machbeth for the decision with which she takes the chance of killing the king of Scotland when she has the chance to have him as her guest.
(Source: A. Cattaneo, D. De Flaviis, Literary Tracks, vol. 1, Carlo Signorelli Editore, 2004)
Read also Shakespeare and Machiavelli
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