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Elizabeth
of England and Isabella of Spain in the context of Machiavelli by Rit Nosotro Comparative Essay |
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Why are leaders sometimes called Machiavellian? A Machiavellian is defined as cunning, someone that follows the teachings of Machiavelli. Machiavelli is best known for writing "The Prince" about how to gain power and keep it. An ideal Machiavellian rule is in one in which the ruler is both loved and feared. Since this position is nearly impossible to attain, the wise ruler should choose to be feared rather than loved. A ruler who chooses to be feared rather than loved is usually interpreted as an evil ruler. However, the ruler who chooses to be feared does not rule like a Stalin, for a rule by fear is much different from a rule by hate. Isabella I of Spain and Elizabeth I of England managed to attain the “perfect” rule.
Machiavelli
Niccolo Machiavelli was the son of a Florentine lawyer. He grew up during the
Medici rule in Florence. Although Machiavelli was not a member of the “monarchy”
of Florence, his family’s political position allowed him to meet or see
men like Leonardo De Vinci and Botticelli. Machiavelli encouraged a revolt in
Florence against the ruling class but it was crushed. Exiled to the country,
Machiavelli wrote The Prince. The country life was boring for the relatively
young (he was only 43 when he was exiled) Machiavelli. The Prince was written
to not only relieve boredom but also as an attempt to regain favor with the
powers in Florence. At the time Italy was divided into numerous city-states
and had never been united. Machiavelli hinted in the book that Lorenzo de Medici
was the one who could unite Italy.
Queen Isabella
When Niccolo was a child, Spain finally joined as one country. The country had
originally been divided into Castille and Aragon. However, when Queen Isabella
of Castille and King Ferdinand of Aragon wed, the two countries became united.
After the country was one, they turned their attention to finally ending the
Muslim occupation of Spain and making Spain a Christian nation. Because of their
valiance in the name of God and the Church, Pope Alexander VI gave the King
of Spain the title of "The Catholic King". Isabella is often counted
as her husband’s equal. She Began the Spanish Inquisition to “cleanse”
Spain and make it a purely Christian nation. This action placed Spain more firmly
in the good graces of the Pope, gaining a powerful ally. The Catholic population
of Spain loved their leader for being such devout believers in their faith.
Yet, they feared becoming heretics.
Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I was the second daughter of the King Henry VIII and the third of
his children to inherit the throne after her father’s death. Elizabeth
was a welcome change from the tyranny of her strictly Catholic sister. Mary,
Elizabeth’s sister, had been a devout Catholic despite her father’s
setting up of a new Church of England. Mary had killed Protestants of England
by burning them alive. Once in power Elizabeth shrewdly surrounded herself with
wise advisors, but she also carefully questioned the motives of her favorites.
This was shown to be a wise move in the situation concerning the conniving Earl
of Essex. To further secure her position Elizabeth killed Mary the Queen of
Scotland, a rival for the throne. Elizabeth used her femininity to her advantage
as well. She never married to present the image of being a virgin queen. A marriage
would have also decreased her power and opened the door for some other country
to conquer England. Although she was a woman Elizabeth had the strength needed
to command respect and loyalty. Though she dealt horribly with those who tried
to over throw her, Elizabeth’s people loved her even after her death.
Conclusion
Isabella and Elizabeth had Machiavellian reigns. There is no proof that Elizabeth
had even read "The Prince” but she followed Machiavelli’s advice.
Isabella never had a chance to read the book since it was published after her
death, yet Machiavelli had admired the political behavior of her and her husband.
Machiavelli believed he could define the perfect reign for an earthly prince
in his book. However, since Machiavelli was an atheist he could not see that
the only rule that would be perfect and secure would be the rule of God.
Bibliography:
“The Reign of Elizabeth” http://web.uvic.ca/shakespeare/Library/SLT/history/elizabethsubj.html
© Internet Shakespeare Editions, 1998-2003. Accessed 2-23-04
Isabella:
RAMÓN, RUIZ AMADO The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VIII Copyright ©
1910 by Robert Appleton Company Online Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. Knight
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08177a.htm Accessed 2-23-04
Sobel, Robert. Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince © 1965 Thor Publications, Inc. New York.
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