Shakespeare's Machiavelli
Machiavelli's notoriety in Elizabethan England gave rise to the particular use of the term "policy" as
a sly reference to Machiavellian realpolitic.
Though Shakespeare's earlier plays tend to support an idealism reminiscent of such
writers as John of Salisbury--straightforward English nationalism and the "Tudor Myth"--the
later history plays, and those tragedies that deal with political power, explore a more
complex interplay of political realism and idealism.
Whether or not Shakespeare read Machiavelli directly is an open question*, but characters
such as Richard II* and Richard III* show evidence of Machiavellian influence.
"Virtu"
As well as treating politics as a distinct field of study subject to its own laws, a second contribution
to the modern concept of the state is Machiavelli's idea of "virtu" as a necessary spirit of vitality
underlying government. Virtu represents the strength of will that can oppose chance circumstance
(Fortuna) and bring about political success irrespective of either right or probability. Machiavelli
believed that to hold power governments (whether republics or principalities) must be able to take
action resolutely, not wavering or seeking always the middle way*.
A good example of a character with virtu is Fortinbras, in Hamlet: he agitates against
Denmark, is thwarted by Claudius' political manoeuvring, carries on nonetheless against
the Poles, and arrives onstage at the crucial moment to seize the opportunity of picking up
the Danish crown.
A Machiavellian prophecy?
When Richard II is deposed, he prophesies that those who deposed him will in turn be scorned by
the new King -- and in the process echoes Machiavelli:
MACHIAVELLI
SHAKESPEARE
. . . a prince is always
Richard II: Northumberland, thou ladder wherewithal
compelled to injure those who The mounting Bolingbroke ascends my throne,
have made him the new ruler. The time shall not be many hours of age,
. .(since) [he] cannot satisfy
More than it is, ere foul sin, gathering head,
them in the way they had
Shall break into corruption. Thou shalt think,
taken for granted.
Though he divide the realm and give thee half,
It is too little, helping him to all;
He shall think that thou which knowest the way
To plant unrightful kings, wilt know again,
Being ne'er so little urged another way,
To pluck him headlong from the usurped throne.
(Richard II, 5.1.55-65)
Did Shakespeare read Machiavelli?
There was no English translation of Machiavelli published in Shakespeare's lifetime, but The Prince
and the Discourses were widely read in Italian, French and Latin during the 16th century, and
Shakespeare may well have had access to one of these editions.
(See "small Latin and less Greek" for Shakespeare's fluency in other languages.) (Return)
Richard learns from Machiavelli
MACHIAVELLI
SHAKESPEARE
He [a prince] should appear to be compassionate, faithful to
Richard [Duke of
his word, kind, guileless, and devout. And indeed he should be Gloucester, later Richard
so. But his disposition should be such that, if he needs to be
III]: I'll play the orator as
the opposite, he knows how. . . . And so he should have a
well as Nestor,
flexible disposition, varying as fortune and circumstances
Deceive more slily than
dictate.
Ulysses could,
And, like a Sinon, take
another Troy.
I can add colours to the
chameleon,
Change shapes with
Proteus for advantages,
And set the murderous
Machiavel to school.
Can I do this, and cannot
get a crown?
Tut, were it farther off, I'll
pluck it down.
(Henry VI, Part Three
3.2.188-195)
(Return)
The via media
Queen Elizabeth followed the middle path most of her life, but the Earl of Essex and Mary Queen
of Scots, at different times forced her to extremes. (Return)
Home | Search | Order the CD ROM | Previous | Next
Map | Life | Stage | Society | History | Ideas | Drama | Literature | Plays | Reference | Help | Comments