Ferdinand of Aragon in "The Prince"

Paper Summary:

Ferdinand of Aragon is represented both directly and indirectly in the text. Ferdinand of Aragon is one of the few characters whom Machiavelli openly compliments. However, as the research demonstrates, Ferdinand of Aragon is indirectly mentioned in several instances that contradict the praises openly bestowed upon him. Ferdinand of Aragon is often referred to as Ferdinand the Catholic. The research supports the thesis that when Machiavelli speaks of Ferdinand of Aragon, he his actually expressing his political views about he Catholic Church as a whole. Furthermore, the research demonstrates how Machiavelli uses Ferdinand of Aragon and passages about other prominent figures in the Catholic Church to express ideals regarding the separation of church and state that will eventually lay the ground work for many modern political ideas.

From the Paper:

"Prior to the time of Machiavelli, Italy had lived in a period of stability and peace. To many the Catholic Church symbolized this peace. The Catholic Church was the governing force in the area. During the time of Machiavelli, many people began to see the corruption and greed the enveloped the supposedly pious leaders of the time. During the time of Machiavelli, the people began to view the Church as a symbol of greed and corrupt power. However, at that time the Church held so much power that it was dangerous to speak out against the Church. To do so could be dangerous and the person ran the risk of persecution or excommunication.
Many writers of the time wished to express their opinions and the opinions of those who disagreed with the Church. Dante's Inferno is a classic example of this technique. In this work the characters on the road to Hell embodied principles, rather than the actual persons represented. The ideals were hidden metaphorically in the characteristics and lives of the characters. Machiavelli used this technique also and Ferdinand of Aragon is one of the primary examples of the use of metaphor to describe the Catholic Church."

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