As noted in Greenblatt’s introduction to Richard III, Shakespeare’s depiction of monarchy was strongly influenced by political theories presented in Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince, which was written in 1513, first printed in 1532, and widely read throughout Europe and Britain.
Read the excerpt below from The Prince and then write a post on ONE of the following prompts:
How does the play, Richard III, portray ideas expressed in this excerpt from The Prince? Does the play support, question, or challenge Machiavelli’s advice? How does Richard (or other key characters in this play) dramatize Machiavelli’s ideas for gaining and maintaining power?
Consider how advancements in technology, particularly social media, have helped or hindered “lions” and “foxes” in modern politics. Can you relate any figures to how Richard uses manipulation and intimidation? Despite the differences in governmental structure, how does Richard III and this excerpt from Machiavelli’s The Prince compare to examples of politics in the 21st century?