The Tempest and

Machiavelli
by Camilla Xu, Noelle Wang, & Jamie Sung
About Machiavelli
born in Florence during the Renaissance
became a diplomat of Florence and travelled to major centers of
Italy
very good at analyzing personalities and institutions
became powerful in a republican government and was exiled when
the Medicis came back into power
wrote The Prince for the governor of Florence, and rewrote it for
Lorenzo de Medici, though he likely never read it and published
posthumously
What about Machiavelli?
Main Idea: The end justifies the means
Love and fear is best. But if left to choose, then fear >
love
Leaders should always mask their true intentions, avoid
inconsistency, and frequently act against mercy,
against faith, against humanity, against frankness,
against religion, in order to preserve the state.
Machiavellis influence on
Shakespeare
Many believe that The Tempest is a demonstration of
Machiavellian politics
Machiavellian qualities are seen through the powers
that Propsero wields on his island
Prosperos play of the ship was also seen as
Machiavellian politics
Prospero w/o Machiavelli
Prospero was a ruler that was loved rather than feared but
Machiavelli believed that it is better to be feared than loved
because a leader is able to retain power. Even though
Prospero had the affection his people, Prospero ended up
stranded on a magical island and was stripped of his title.
His neglection of stately matters made him lose his power
and position, while Antonio, although through despicable
means, obtained power and position.
The Boatswain and the Ship
Foreshadows the Machiavellian political play
that is going to show up frequently in the rest
of the play.
None that I love more than myself.
Desire to take control of the ship.
Ariel and Caliban
Prospero cajoles Ariel and convinces her to
do his bidding by promising to set her free
Caliban is treated harshly and made to do
menial labor
Prospero uses both methods to achieve the
same effect of obedience and power on his
island
Antonio and Sebastian
Antonio portrays his love for Sebastian
through his willingness to protect and serve
Sebastian
A reason for his loyalty is because Sebastian
can provide Antonio safety since he has
many enemies in IIyria

Miranda and Ferdinand
Prospero seeks a good husband for his
daughter (preservation of his lineage)
Prospero uses Ferdinands status and
relationship with Miranda to secure his return
to power
He abandons her wedding to stop the
murder plot of Caliban, Trinculo, and
Stephano
Works Cited
"Study Tools." Study Tools. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014.
<http://www.britaininprint.net/shakespeare/study_tools/machiavelli.html>.

Arnold, Lauren. "Rule in 'The Tempest': The Political Teachings of Shakespeare's Last Play." 2009.
PDF file.

Machiavelli, Nicolo. The Prince. N.p.: Project Gutenberg EBook, 2006. Print.

O'Rourke, John. "Machiavellis 'The Prince': Still Relevant after All These Years." BU Today. Boston
University, n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2014. <http://www.bu.edu/today/2013/machiavelli-the-prince-still-
relevant-after-all-these-years/>.