nt one needed great ability and bravery. In The Prince he cites Moses, Cyrus, Romulus, and Theseus as being the quintessential leaders with "virtu." To set the foundations of a successful people an individual ruler, like a dictator or a monarch, must exhibit "virtu" of the highest form. (C2.)FORTUNE Either acting as a friend or enemy of "virtu" is the presence of fortune. In every endeavor we take on as humans, there exists certain factors that cannot be controlled by any man, including those with a vast amount of virtue. Despite Machiavelli's affirmation that the ruler with great talent and intellect is better off than those without, Machiavelli has no choice but to concede to the fact that there is a side to life over which we have little or no control. Although problems arising from variables such as transportation, lack of communication, and many infectious diseases, have diminished considerably with the help of technology, unexpected events occur very often in the modern age. As a result people find themselves in positions regardless of their "virtu." (C2.) "PATRIOTISM" (C2.)The final theme which Machiavelli stressed is "patriotism". Machiavelli's final way to reach your personal goal is to convince others to work for your goal. Machiavelli lived in an age of military uncertainties. Armies of France, Spain, and Germany were engaged in a constant battle for complete control over Italy. He believed that the deciding factor in a military struggle was "patriotism'. (C2.) A king with an army of ten thousand whose men only fight with half their passion and heart can easily be beaten by and army of six thousand who give all they have in the battlefield. This idea of giving your all in the name of your homeland is very prevalent in the modern Olympics. The man who can endure more pain and push himself to the best of his ability will bring the honor to his country. (C1)According to Machiavelli, if a prince is mindful of all these themes ...
