Il+Principe

Il Principe, translated into english as The Prince, is the literary masterpiece of Niccolo Machiavelli. It is formated as a letter written from Niccolo Machiavelli to Lorenzo the Magnificent, Son of Piero Di Medici. This interpersonal writing style serves as this novel's standout feature that has helped bring it to the level of world-wide recognition. For more than four centuries, The Prince has been the basic guidebook of statesmanship, politics, and power. The most successful statesman of his time, Machiavelli aimed to set in stone the rules and key strategies in the ageless game of power. The result of his efforts is this highly readable, witty--and diabolically shrewd--formula that has long been essential reading for anyone interested in increasing their political power.


 * Character Archetype:** Expert Adviser
 * Criteria:** Didactic diction, historical examples, humble discourse, careful organization of ideas, confidence in his expertise, brains beat brawn

Niccolo Machiavelli fits perfectly the role of expert adviser, which is rather fitting because he has experience as an actual adviser. From the outset, Machiavelli makes it abundantly clear that his priority in his writings is to teach his readers more than entertain them. If he meant for his work to be entertaining, he would be an expert fool not an expert adviser. He complements this didactic diction of his by offering his reader numerous examples from history of princes and other famous political figures who followed the strategies outlined by Machiavelli and found great success as a result. Yet remembering that his reader is a prince himself, Machiavelli minds his place as subordinate to that of Lorenzo. As such he maintains the utmost discretion and humility in his directions to Lorenzo. In the spirit of humility, he also organizes the topics he desires to discuss in such a way as to be clear without insulting the intelligence of his reader. Despite his adherence to maintaining humble discourse with his audience, Machiavelli has the utmost assurance in his capabilities as an adiviser and the credibility of his advice. This confidence serves his purposes, one of which notable for its importance to Machiavelli is the concept that brains or more specifically shrewd intellect will always prove more useful than sheer force of one's military. It is his adherence to these six principles that makes Machiavelli perfect as the Expert Adviser.

Never speak to highly of yourself. Ex: "I deem this work unworthy of Your Highness's acceptance." Obviously he does deem the work acceptable otherwise he never would have sent it to Lorenzo, but Lorenzo doesn't need to know this.
 * How to speak like Niccolo Machiavelli**
 * Step one:** Know your place

While still being humble, make it clear that your opinion is not without merit. Ex: "With the utmost diligence I have long pondered and scrutinised the actions of the great." Machiavelli knows what he is doing, the least you can do is pretend to be the same.
 * Step two:** Talk as though you know what you are talking about.

Employ a mix of successful and unsuccessful historical figures to back up your claims. Ex: Chapter 4 "Why the kingdom of Darius, occupied by Alexander, did not rebel against the successors of the latter after his death."
 * Step three:** Prove your authority by offering historical examples

Machiavelli always makes his purpose very clear when naming chapters. This can sometimes backfire if done haphazardly. Quantity of words is subordinate to quality of sentences. Ex: Chapter 20 "Whether Fortresses And Other Things Which Princes Often Contrive Are Useful or Injurious" Machiavelli uses whole sentences to name his chapters. Paragraphs are overdoing it.
 * Step four:** Clarify what you are about to discuss before discussing it.

Machiavelli supported adherence to morals only when they served one's purposes. He firmly believed that power took priority over morality and that the ends justified the means. Ex: "But when the prince is with his army and has a large number of soldiers under his control, then it is extremely necessary that he should not mind being thought cruel." The object is not to be evil just to be evil, but rather to be evil to gain and maintain power.
 * Step five**: Morality is for wimps

Interactive portion: Play Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood to meet Machiavelli in person!