Rhetorical Analysis: Machiavelli's "The Qualities of the Prince"

Machiavelli writes during a time when Italy had not been formed yet. Only a loosely connected group of powerful city-states with constantly changing rulers existed. Machiavelli himself was affected greatly by these shifts in power. He wrote "The Qualities of the Prince" to convey his idea of the strong, active, and in his own eyes, perfect ruler to the current ruling family, the Medicis.

Logos is evident in Machiavelli's argument for a strong ruler in his concise wording and great knowledge of the subject. Machiavelli's approach to the argument is almost business-like, giving the reader the facts in addition to the writer's own opinion. When speaking of armed leaders versus unarmed leaders, Machiavelli brings up Francesco Sforza, and how he became a duke because he was armed while his sons who were not armed became private citizens (40). This use of supporting examples to help fuel the logos of his rhetoric is prevalent throughout Machiavelli's work. However, it can be dangerous to use inductive reasoning because not all situations may support Machiavelli's claim. Logos may be one of the more common rhetorical themes that is used throughout "The Qualities of the Prince."
Nevertheless, Machiavelli's writing is not void of ethos and pathos. Machiavelli shows a genuine concern for his audience creating an air of trust providing the ethos that the readers can feel. The greater good of the nation is often considered, even though he may seem cruel in his ways of approaching it.
"With very few examples of cruelty [the prince] will be more compassionate than those who, out of excessive mercy, permit disorders to continue... for these harm the community at large."(Machiavelli 45)
Machiavelli emphasizes the difficulty of the decisions that need to be made by the prince, while still keeping the ultimate goal of peace and prosperity in sight. Later in the paragraph, Machiavelli uses vivd language to describe the faults of man and why a feared leader is necessary (46). This pathos would surely inspire an iron fist in any leader.
Machiavelli's "The Qualities of the Prince" takes a stringent position on the proper way to govern a nation. This view most likely would not be accepted with a more current audience in the United States, but with an audience in the early 1500s in Italy, the ideas would be accepted. A strong government that is extremely active in citizens lives is not needed now, but with the constantly changing powers of Italy, an iron fisted ruler would be welcomed.

Machiavelli, Niccolò. “The Qualities of the Prince.” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers. 8^th ed. Ed. Lee A. Jacobus. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2010. 39-52. Print.