Machiavelli: Il Principe (riassunto capitolo7) -Cesare Borgia-

Summary

In this analysis of Chapter VII of Machiavelli’s *The Prince*, the focus is on Cesare Borgia, a figure who rose to power through a mix of fortune and political skill. While his ascent was largely due to his father’s papacy and the French military, Borgia’s strategic moves, including manipulation of rival families and shifting governance tactics, demonstrate his political acumen. However, his downfall occurred with the death of his father and changing political landscapes. Machiavelli presents Borgia as a complex figure, illustrating the precarious balance between fortune and virtù in maintaining power.

Takeaways

• 😀 Machiavelli discusses Cesare Borgia's rise to power, emphasizing his reliance on both fortune and external military support, particularly from the French.
• 😀 Borgia is presented as an example of a new prince who gained power through external forces, yet Machiavelli admires his ability to strengthen his position with his own political skill.
• 😀 Machiavelli contrasts Borgia's approach with those who gain power through fortune alone, suggesting that such individuals often struggle to maintain power due to unstable alliances.
• 😀 The script highlights that Borgia’s father, Pope Alexander VI, helped him achieve power, but Borgia's ability to maintain and expand it was largely due to his own virtù (virtue).
• 😀 Cesare Borgia's political prowess is demonstrated through his manipulation of key figures, including the Orsini and Colonna families, which were crucial to his consolidation of power in Rome and the surrounding regions.
• 😀 Borgia's use of deception and corruption, such as bribing members of the Orsini family, exemplifies his pragmatic approach to maintaining control over his territory.
• 😀 Machiavelli praises Borgia for realizing that cruelty and severe governance were no longer necessary to control his subjects, shifting to a more civil and enlightened form of rule.
• 😀 Despite his success in consolidating power in Romagna and securing the support of key nobles, Borgia ultimately failed to secure long-term stability due to external factors, including the death of his father.
• 😀 The death of Pope Alexander VI left Borgia vulnerable, as his power was not sufficiently self-sustaining and depended heavily on his father's influence.
• 😀 Machiavelli concludes that while Borgia's projects were halted by his father’s death and Borgia's declining health, his ability to both gain and almost sustain power illustrates the complexities of ruling through fortune and personal capability.

Q & A

What is the main subject of Chapter VII of Machiavelli's 'The Prince'?

Chapter VII of Machiavelli's 'The Prince' primarily focuses on Cesare Borgia, discussing his rise to power and how Machiavelli views him as an exemplary model of a modern prince, despite the fortune that initially helped him attain power.

How does Machiavelli contrast the different types of new principalities?

Machiavelli contrasts two types of new principalities: those acquired by one's own arms and abilities (as discussed in Chapter VI) and those gained through fortune or the arms of others. He emphasizes that those who gain power through fortune, without establishing their own support structures, often struggle to maintain it.

Why does Machiavelli consider Cesare Borgia an exception to the rule about new princes?

Machiavelli considers Cesare Borgia an exception because, although he initially gained power through his father's position and the support of the French army, Borgia demonstrated significant political acumen and used his virtue to consolidate and strengthen his rule, making him a rare example of a successful 'new prince.'

What role did Cesare Borgia’s father, Pope Alexander VI, play in his rise to power?

Pope Alexander VI played a pivotal role in Cesare Borgia's rise to power, using his influence to secure military support from France and grant Cesare territories. However, Cesare’s own ability to maintain and expand his power was largely due to his personal political skill rather than mere dependence on his father's fortune.

How does Machiavelli describe the concept of 'fortune' in relation to Cesare Borgia's success?

Machiavelli sees 'fortune' as both a gift and a challenge. While Cesare Borgia benefited from the fortunate circumstances of his birth and his father's papacy, Machiavelli notes that Borgia’s downfall was also due to the turning of fortune, highlighting the unpredictability of external circumstances in the rise and fall of rulers.

What strategies did Cesare Borgia employ to strengthen his power in Romagna?

Cesare Borgia used a combination of military force, political manipulation, and strategic alliances to weaken rival factions such as the Orsini and Colonna families. He also used financial incentives to gain the support of local nobility and ensured the loyalty of his army by bribing key individuals.

What is the significance of Cesare Borgia’s handling of the Romagna region?

Cesare Borgia's governance of Romagna is significant because it demonstrated his ability to consolidate power through both force and diplomacy. His control of Romagna was initially achieved through brutal tactics, but he later adjusted his approach to more moderate rule to prevent alienating his subjects.

How did Cesare Borgia deal with his internal enemies and dissent within his ranks?

Cesare Borgia dealt with internal enemies and dissent through a mix of manipulation and elimination. He made use of betrayal and deceit, for instance, corrupting key members of the Orsini family to turn them into allies, while removing those who were disloyal or who posed a threat to his authority.

Why does Machiavelli emphasize the importance of a prince establishing their own power base rather than relying solely on fortune?

Machiavelli stresses that a prince must establish his own power base to ensure stability and security. Relying solely on fortune or external forces, like Cesare Borgia did initially, is dangerous because fortune is fickle and can change quickly, leading to a loss of power.

What lesson does Machiavelli draw from Cesare Borgia’s downfall?

The lesson Machiavelli draws is that even a prince with great skill can be undone by misfortune, such as the death of a key ally or a shift in political dynamics. In Cesare Borgia’s case, the death of his father, Pope Alexander VI, and the changing political landscape ultimately led to his fall, despite his strategic efforts.