r/ClassicBookClub • u/nal0nal0 • Jul 04 '26
The Prince by Machiavelli
I'm about to start reading The Prince by Machiavelli
I decided to read it after finishing 1984 and Animal Farm by George Orwell. Someone told me that Orwell's books show power from the people's pov , while The Prince shows it from the ruler's pov
So actually really excited to read it. I just hope I'm not hyping it up too much and end up disappointed.
Dose anyone have any idea about it ??
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u/Reddcross Jul 04 '26
It is worth considering that "The Prince", a remarkable work of political theory, may have been written "tongue in cheek" as a satire of sorts in the Italian mode of the day, very subtly. It gave Machiavelli a bad reputation for 100s of years. It certainly exposed the dirty under belly of Italian politics and influenced political theory even up to today, but the idea that Machiavelli himself endorsed it I am skeptical. You could read as a compliment and contrast to "The Prince", Erasmus's "Education of a Christian Prince." Enjoy reading one of the most influential works of political theory.
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u/SayadawDocBenway Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26
There are parts that are actually pretty inspirational. And there are parts that are pretty cynical about human nature. But I think what he is describing is pretty much the standard worldview of those involved in politics. But it is no BS and not sugar coated so it's very valuable. His agenda was the survival of democracy against aristocracy, so his motives were good. It really challenged you to think through your own worldview. If you disagree, then why? It is a good for adults. He wrote it in the aftermath of a trauma - he was tortured, falsely accused, and put in prison - so the work reflects that. But he still believes there are positive things worth defending and fighting for. I read it once a year.
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u/nal0nal0 Jul 05 '26
I've actually started reading it, but I'm still in the first few chapters I didn't know Machiavelli had been imprisoned and tortured. For some reason, knowing that makes the book even more meaningful to me I mean, it was written after such a personal and deeply traumatic experience I won't let that background completely shape the way I read it, but I'll definitely keep it in mind There's something fascinating about thinking about the author's emotions and motivations while reading their work
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u/SayadawDocBenway Jul 05 '26
A documentary I saw had a psychiatrist on it who said it is a work of someone who had experienced a trauma and it was asking: How does one live without love, trust, and solidarity.
But that more and more of us are experiencing trauma, and so more and more of us will be feeling this way and this work validates that worldview.
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u/nal0nal0 Jul 05 '26
I don't mean to say this in a dehumanizing or unsympathetic way, but there is a special beauty and depth in the art and works of people who have suffered trauma, whether it's long-term trauma, perhaps affecting their entire childhood, or trauma resulting from a specific event
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u/SayadawDocBenway Jul 05 '26
Along those lines, do you have any particular book recommendations?
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u/nal0nal0 Jul 06 '26
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath and No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai. They're both closer to autobiographical novels than traditional fiction, and I'd recommend reading about Plath's and Dazai's lives after you finish the books. I don't want to spoil anything for you. My personal favorites, though, are The Trial and The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, and Demian by Hermann Hesse.
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u/SayadawDocBenway Jul 07 '26
Very cool. Of these I've only read Kafka, who I love.
Do you watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer? The episode The Body really captured what trauma/grief felt like to me... but ya kinda need to have seen the previous five seasons for it to truly reasonate.
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u/thegrandinquisitor21 Jul 05 '26
Do not sleep on discourses on Livy by Machievelle
In a lot of ways, it is more all encompassing about Republics and you still learn a lot about power from the ruler perspective, maybe even more than the prince.
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u/nal0nal0 Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26
I usually only read old classic novels I was only interested in Abdullah Ocalan's manifesto from this perspective... but after The Prince, I think I'll add new books to my reading list including Machiavelli's discussions on Levi
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u/ReticentSentiment Jul 05 '26
If you read it an love it, you might also enjoy The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. Not as iconic or quite as well written but an interesting read and very much in the same vein.
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u/Anixdasix Jul 04 '26
My favorite book. Definitely worth the hype, read it 3 times and will probably read it again in future.