Machiavelli Week 2 Flashcards
Focus of this
the framework of morality which M departed and the learnings he got from bis missions that he distilled in The Prince
Discuss the Early Modern World View of Degree
the universe is divinely ordered where things have a degree in a specific place
How does Shakespeare allude to this
in Act 1 Scene 3 in Shakespeares Troilus and Cressida, Ulysses’s speech suggests that God has given everything a divinely appointed place because he knows what he is doing. To mess around with this degree and order means you will be in trouble - Shakespeare alludes to floods and natural disasters in this extract.
Discuss the Early Modern World View of Order
things are appointed in certain ways
give an example of a scholar commenting on this
Sir Thomas Eliot discussed that to take away order of the world and its peculiar disposition means chaos - he thought change was a bad thing. wanted things to stay the same because change meant we were challenging the way things were divinely appointed.
why is this not the reality though
the 16th century was a time of major change - rising through or falling through social structures. the practices of the time were ones of change rather than static
Discuss the Early Modern World View of Divine Law
the Bible and its order of moral conduct
what is it set out by?
special revelations in the Bible - two key passages are:
THE OLD TESTAMENT: Exodus 20: 3-17 - the ten commandments
NEW TESTAMENT: Matthew 5:3-12
what were the limitations
were aware of these prescriptions but due to the vernacular boundaries they were unable to read this first hand
Discuss the Early Modern World View of The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy
seven examples of how to live life basically
what are these
Feeding the hungry
Drink to thirsty
Clothing naked
Burying dead
Sheltering traveller
Comforting the sick
Ransoming the captive
Discuss the Early Modern World View of Salvation
the concept of life after death and what the fate of your soul was
how does this link to original sin
breaking God’s presceptions so expelled - reconciliation with God is salvation. which was done by Jesus Christ on behalf of Christians - a substitutionary atonement
what is grace
spiritual fuel that tops up spiritual health and relationship with God
what are the seven sacraments
a cycle Christians followed that meant they regularly engaged with the Church through baptism and channels of grace
What is merit
way to assist passage of soul to heaven - accumulate credit.
Discuss the Early Modern World View of ‘The Social Miracle’ - (John Bossy)
knowing your place and recognising your stance in society
What are some key topics that he discusses
Living in charity
Observing Civilities
Resolving disputes
Establishing Relationships
What was Machiavelli’s Political Context
Italy - was not unified until 1870. It comprised of many independent states of differing types and sizes
what were foreign relations like
they were not just with France or the Holy Roman Empire but with Napes or Siena
overall what was the context
pretty unstable
what was an extremely important commodity
land
After Savonarola was deposed in 1498 what happened
An anti-Savonarola republican regime seized power and M was appointed to the new government serving the committee that dealt with foreign affairs meaning he was sent on several missions that shaped his views on statecraft
What was his first mission
1500 - sent on a mission to Louis XII of France who saw the Florentine regime as slow and indecisive and unimportant - saw how the French saw the Florentines
