In Machiavelli’s The Prince , Machiavelli’s view of virtu is much different than virtue is seen in the world today. He redefines virtu of a prince as having greatness and power, opposed to the common belief that virtue is to be good and moral. He also believed that a prince must be glorious, and to be successful he must gain the support of his people. He uses two important examples, Cesare Borgia and Agathocles, to describe what his view of virtu is and how to become successful at it (pg. 19 and 23). Machiavelli’s examples demonstrates that a person with virtu is successful through his greatness and power, acknowledges that glory is important when acquiring power, and must be smart about how and when to commit crimes. His two examples are used below to help describe his definition of virtu.
Greatness and power are what make up a successful and virtuous prince. Machiavelli shows this through his example of Cesare Borgia. Once Borgia had been made the Duke of Romagna, he sets out to weaken and win over the factions of the Orsini and Colonna. Borgia realized that he needed to become more influential and have as many people rallied behind him as possible. After these factions became his allies, he used them and other allies (the French) to stop those resisting against him. Then he used his strength to deceive the French and his other allies that had helped him (pg. 20). Machiavelli praises this power that Borgia has received, even though it has come through deception and persuasion.
Borgia did gain the strength, but he needed to keep that greatness and power. Borgia believed that the people needed to have more order and placed Remiro d’Orco in charge of establishing peace and unity. Later, after Remiro d’Orco had done what Borgia needed him to do, Borgia though ...