Response to Machiavelli
Ramiro dOrco was appointed governor of Romagna to establish order in the state. Behind the curtain, a man named Ceasar Borgia was telling him everything to do. DOrco was hated by the people due to his overwhelmingly strict rule. He took away properties and killed peoples families in order to control the state. While Borgia had been pulling the strings of dOrcos rule the entire time, the people did not know this. Borgia brutally murdered dOrco in the middle of the night and displayed the gory, disintegrating body in the middle of the town square on Christmas morning. This essay will exemplify the meaning of a quote from Machiavelli in which he states, The barbarity of this spectacle caused the people to be satisfied and dismayed at the same time. By drawing on Machiavellis, The Prince, this essay will exemplify why Machiavelli would describe this gory event the way he does.
One of Machiavellis quotes in The Prince was, A successful ruler must have the ability to judge what is required on a particular occasion and the flexibility to do what is necessary. (TBASPT, 345) In the event of dOrcos death, Borgia needed to do what was required in order to gain favor of the people even though it was morally wrong. One of Machiavellis lesson in The Prince was that there are no rules in politics. (TBASPT, 344) A ruler must not limit himself on a moral code. Everything must be done based on circumstances. Borgia needed someone to establish control over Romagna with harsh rule but did not want to appear to have his hands dirty. After the rule was established, there was no use for him. In fact, because of the peoples hatred for him, Borgia needed to get rid of him....
