Readers Response "The Qualities of the Prince" Machiavelli

The Qualities of the Prince

The first thing that strikes me when reading “The Qualities of the Prince” is how Machiavelli's tone is forceful. He is convinced of what he is stating and states it as fact, not as opinion. I notice the word “must” quite frequently and this reiterates the thought that he does not wish to present his ideas as suggestion but rather as “the way.”

Machiavelli uses very factual language and draws upon historical facts to support his ideas. He does not dance around subjects with fluff or soft analogies. His statements are definite and presented with conviction. It is obvious he is passionate about the subject of war and regards it as an art that must be mastered and wielded as a prince's most valuable tool.

The entire work speaks to me with a tone of either anger or bitterness. It is as though Machiavelli draws upon his own misfortune in concluding the necessity for war as well as his ideas
of how a prince is to be regarded. It seems that he is quite possibly jaded to some extent.

Machivelli presents certain ideas with such clarity and tact that I found myself agreeing with certain ideas when first reading them. When I went back and pondered each thought I realized I didn't actually agree with what he was saying. Overall I think Machiavelli wrote a clear piece presenting solid arguments based on his position, though I find those arguments to be emotion based and do not personally agree with.