The Prince · Chapter
Literature and Death explained
Following the return of the Medici, Machiavelli is dismissed from his post, imprisoned, and tortured.
What happens
Following the return of the Medici, Machiavelli is dismissed from his post, imprisoned, and tortured. After his release, he retires to San Casciano, where he writes The Prince and other works, eventually regaining favor and receiving a commission to write the History of Florence. He dies in 1527 shortly after the Medici are again banished from Florence.
Themes in this chapter
Acquisition and Maintenance of Power
The Prince is explicitly about how principalities can be acquired, kept, and lost, reflecting Machiavelli's study of statecraft.
The Role of Fortune and Virtù
Machiavelli's life after 1512 illustrates the interplay of fortune (his dismissal and torture) and his own virtù in producing lasting literary works.
Human Nature and Its Exploitation
Machiavelli's observations on human nature underpin his advice to princes, as seen in his letter about keeping faith and loyalty.
Characters to notice
- Niccolò Machiavelli
Dismissed from office, imprisoned, tortured, then retired to write The Prince and other works; later commissioned to write the History of Florence; died in 1527.
- Lorenzo de' Medici
The Prince was finally dedicated to him, though there is no evidence he received or read it.
- Giuliano de' Medici
Originally intended as the dedicatee of The Prince; later became Pope Clement VII and received the History of Florence.
- Filippo Casavecchio
Saw an early version of The Prince and discussed it with Machiavelli.
- Francesco Vettori
Recipient of Machiavelli's famous letter describing his life at San Casciano and the composition of The Prince.
- Clement VII
As Cardinal de' Medici, commissioned Machiavelli to write the History of Florence; later as pope received the finished work.
Key passages
“The evening being come, I return home and go to my study; at the entrance I pull off my peasant-clothes, covered with dust and dirt, and put on my noble court dress, and thus becomingly re-clothed I pass into the ancient courts of the men of old, where, being lovingly received by them, I am fed with that food which is mine alone; where I do not hesitate to speak with them, and to ask for the reason of their actions, and they in their benignity answer me; and for four hours I feel no weariness, I forget every trouble, poverty does not dismay, death does not terrify me; I am possessed entirely by those great men.”
In the evening, Machiavelli changes from his rustic clothes into formal attire and mentally enters the company of ancient thinkers, conversing with them and learning from their actions, which brings him such joy that he forgets all his troubles.
Machiavelli's letter to Vettori describes his nightly ritual of studying classical texts, which inspired him to write The Prince.
“And as to this little thing [his book], when it has been read it will be seen that during the fifteen years I have given to the study of statecraft I have neither slept nor idled; and men ought ever to desire to be served by one who has reaped experience at the expense of others. And of my loyalty none could doubt, because having always kept faith I could not now learn how to break it; for he who has been faithful and honest, as I have, cannot change his nature; and my poverty is a witness to my honesty.”
Machiavelli asserts that his book reflects fifteen years of diligent study of statecraft, and that his unwavering honesty and poverty prove his trustworthiness.
Machiavelli defends his character and the value of his work in the same letter to Vettori.