William Shakespeare s The Prince And Julius Caesar

Texts are a reflection of its contextual values; it is evident that aspects of human nature remain constant irrespective of context. Texts ruminative of this include Tim Parks’ translation of Niccolo Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’ (1532) and William Shakespeare’s historical tragedy ‘Julius Caesar’ (1599). The values and attitudes of these two texts anticipated responders and influenced purpose, form and content such as the darker aspects of humanism, the changeless nature of man, and the fickle nature of people. Machiavelli’s text ‘The Prince’ mirrors the darker aspects of humanism – man is essentially corrupt, self-serving and deceptive . His intended responders were a select of people in power and of educated elite, in particular Lorenzo de†¦show more content†¦Machiavelli suggests that the most supreme approach to change the degenerate individual into a decent individual is through the good law, although even the best law is pointless. Machiavelli characterizes man as being self-serving and not willing to act in the best interest of the state, â€Å"and when the prince is in danger they turn against him†. Machiavelli strengthens the prince’s need to be feared by stating, â€Å"Men worry less about doing an injury to one who makes himself loved than to one who makes himself feared†. To acquire honour, Machiavelli suggests that a prince must be readily willing to deceive the citizens. These treacherous measures would bring the prince honour and trust among the citizen, suggesting that man’s nature is changeless, which is exemplified in Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’ through the character of Mark Antony. Mark Antony in ‘Julius Caesar’ abandoned Caesar as soon as he is killed and to seek his own glory. Being a true friend of Caesar, Mark Antony promises Caesar’s soul that he would seek revenge against the conspirators for his brutal murder, â€Å"And Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge, with Ate by his side come hot from hell...That this foul deed shall smell above the earth with carrion men, groaning for burial.†. Shakespeare utilizes dramatic irony when Brutus takes Antony’s promise of not saying anything against the conspirators in front of the crowd for the audience know