Literary Analysis Essay on The Prince and Hamlet

Machiavelli: "The Prince"

In essence, "The Prince" is a highly celebrated and controversial piece that was written by an Italian aristocrat Niccolo Machiavelli. Apparently, his works are simply a summary of major qualities that a prince is supposed to have for him to remain in a position of his majesty. Machiavelli uses many characters to express the real assertion of a prince. However, there is no contest concerning Cesare being the most important character in this particular novel. This paper intends to highlight the main character, Cesare Borgia. Notably, it is no doubt that most of the second half of this novel's romance features Cesare.

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Cesare Borgia was seen as the most intelligent son of the Pope Alexander VI and therefore made to become one of the Cardinals by his father when he was aged 17. By the age 25, Cesare Borgia was one of the most accomplished murderers and he had conquered many places in Italy. In this sense, there is no other character that truly dominates all chapters thanks to his political biography (ChapmanSchmidt). Borgia is so central to the reading of the prince that he is often asserted or rather assumed to be a model for the prince and therefore theorized in the whole work. His presence is a typical representation of a personality that even Machiavelli could not find in the modern prince.

Primarily, Cesare Borgia is considered as the inspiration that was behind the call for the redemption of the great Italian nation. In many ways, he was a person who made Machiavelli rethink the main skills that are required in forging the "new principality". Although Machiavelli had to offer an example of a prince who could rise to power through personal aspiration, most of the time he had to rely on Cesare Borgia who had to depend on other forces in rising to power. His admiration to Borgia could be seen throughout her descriptions. In Borgia, there was a model according to Machiavelli, especially for all conquerors (ChapmanSchmidt). By all account, Cesare Borgia was a sort of ruthless, ambitious, as well as boundless energetic where he had to press a personality that could impress those people that around him.

In the novel 'The Prince' by Machiavelli, many characters are used to portray a rather true representation of a prince. However, Cesare Borgia is no doubt a hit, a perfect portrayal of a modern prince. Although supported by external forces to the highest realm, he shows an enthusiasm to retain his position throughout the novel and therefore he is considered as an inspiration to the wake of Italian redemption. His ruthless and energetic persona is a recap of his true self and perhaps the main thing that people around him were impressed with. Additionally, his character astute makes him favorite therefore dominating almost all chapters in the novel. No wonder every reader has had him on their lips, 'hero' and 'enthusiast'.

Shakespeare: "Hamlet"

Throughout Shakespeare's play, Hamlet displays a rather contemplative side and his sexual deviancy which probably wrap up his enigmatic character making a thought-provoking play that twists and turns, therefore, leaving the reader on their toe. Hamlet's creative nature allows the characters and the viewers to search deeper into the meaning of Hamlet's words with a hope that they could understand him more. Hamlet is considered as a major character and a protagonist in the drama "Hamlet" which is a fascinating novel written by Shakespeare.

Primarily, he is considered the prince of the great Denmark kingdom of the time. Additionally, he is the son of the then Gertrude the Queen and King Hamlet who was then killed by his uncle Claudius. In essence, it is no doubt that Hamlet is a sort of unique individual and therefore he is able to handle many situations in various unusual ways (Jennings). However, he portrays a rather complicated and intriguing character that changes in different perspectives. Through Hamlet, Shakespeare successfully captures true human characteristics. As for his sexual deviancy, he appears to play around with dirty jokes and his interest in his mother's sex life and therefore this is just another loop in which Shakespeare uses to get the readers enthralled and disgusted in the story.

Hamlet uses his emotions so inconsistently to bounce back and forth and no one is in a position to know what he is about to do next. At one particular moment, he is seen as a rational while in the next he is no, one moment he intends to plan things and the next he fails to set out his plans (Jennings). This is one of the main traits that make hamlet different from other characters in the novel. The main paradox that summarizes Hamlet's nature draws every individual to the character he is. In the novel, he portrays a person who has no friends left; however, Horatio tends to love him unconditionally (Jennings). Hamlet is one character who is angry, dejected, and depressed as well as manic. Essentially, everyone sees him being suicidal, a person who loathes himself and his fate. Yet in many ways, he is an existential kind of a thinker who often accepts that he had to deal with his life and solve his issues. He understands that he has to choose to act on his challenges head-on. "We defy augury. There is a special providence in the fall of a sparrow."

Despite Hamlet participating in his life, astutely observes him as well. In this sense, he is in a position of recognizing the rotten Danish lifestyle. However, he comes to terms that he cannot be able to put blame on any social ills especially on a particular individual. He as well remains aware of the various ironies that have constituted to the endeavors of human and therefore he savors them. However, he says "man delight not me", a personality that makes many people have contradictions towards his being. As astutely as he tends to observe the whole world around him, he is also keen on critiquing himself (Jennings). In his many soliloquies, he tends to upbraid himself especially for his failures in acting as well as for his propensity for words.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Shakespeare successful uses the character of Hamlet to portray a true character of a human being. Hamlet's personality is used to outline an example of an individual who not only sees the world in a critical perspective but also his personal life. It is, therefore, no doubt that he is the most important character in the novel.

Works Cited

ChapmanSchmidt, Ben. "Machiavelli: The Prince." The Encyclopedia of Corrections (2017).

Jennings, Hope, et al. "Hamlet and Ophelia." (2016).