Machiavelli in Context | The Prince, 21–26: Fortune and Foreigners (Lecture 11)

Lecture 11: Machiavelli explains how a prince must gain the esteem of his people. He then addresses several important issues regarding a prince’s court. One concerns advisors and how princes use them. Another is the problem of flattery. I will discuss how Machiavelli treats these two matters.

Finally, Machiavelli focuses once again on contemporary Italy and its problems, most of which were, in a sense, self-inflicted. He asks if these problems are simply caused by Fortune. Although Machiavelli recognizes the role of Fortune, he also counsels how to mitigate her control over human affairs.

Since 1494, Italy has seen invading armies from north of the Alps. In the last chapter of The Prince, Machiavelli famously presents a passionate exhortation for Italy to be freed from “the barbarians.” This passage was often cited during the age of Italian unification in the 19th century and made Machiavelli, along with Dante, the prophet of a united Italian state.

Recommended Readings:
Machiavelli, The Prince, translated by Peter Bondanella, chapters 21–26.