The article examines the beginning of chapter xxiv of The Prince. In that chapter Machiavelli sums up his view of how the new prince should behave and mentions the qualities he should display in public to consolidate his own power. In a paradoxical way, Machiavelli claims that by following the rules he has outlined so far in the book, the new prince will quickly become much more powerful than a hereditary prince. The foundation of this power would be a sort of ‘military occupation’ of the subjects’ minds by the image of the new prince and the new orders he embodies. The article raises the hypothesis that this form of obligation, which nullifies the free will of the subjects, is a superior form of love, resulting from the skilful use of religious suggestion combined with different forms of political communication.
«… pigliono molto più gli uomini e molto più gli obligano …». Una forma di amore vincolante nel Principe di Machiavelli
Fabio Frosini
2024
Abstract
The article examines the beginning of chapter xxiv of The Prince. In that chapter Machiavelli sums up his view of how the new prince should behave and mentions the qualities he should display in public to consolidate his own power. In a paradoxical way, Machiavelli claims that by following the rules he has outlined so far in the book, the new prince will quickly become much more powerful than a hereditary prince. The foundation of this power would be a sort of ‘military occupation’ of the subjects’ minds by the image of the new prince and the new orders he embodies. The article raises the hypothesis that this form of obligation, which nullifies the free will of the subjects, is a superior form of love, resulting from the skilful use of religious suggestion combined with different forms of political communication.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
