What is the general idea that most people have of a great king? The majority say that a strong leader must have virtuous qualities such as being trustworthy, courageous, loyal, honest, dedicated to the task at hand, as well as being inspirational and hardworking. The list goes on and on. Above all, a great leader must have a superior moral compass to guide through difficult situations, right? In the eyes of Italian political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli, these preconceived notions could not be more wrong. Machiavelli wrote many philosophical and analytical treatises on the current state of government in Italy in the early 1500s. Starting a career as a diplomat, Machiavelli was able to meet many rulers in Italy such as Louis XII, Ferdinand II, and Pope Julius II. However, the leader who had the most effect on him was Alexander VI's son, Cesare Borgia. Borgia was particularly cruel and extroverted, gaining much power in central Italy through his cunning practices. Machiavelli's most famous book, The Prince, is thought to be based on him. It was dedicated to Lorenzo de' Medici, then governor of Florence, as a guide to maintaining power. Instead of having positive qualities, the book states that a leader must forget about morality and adopt a more realistic approach to politics. King Claudius, in William Shakespeare's famous play Hamlet, uses many of the unjust practices highlighted in The Prince to remain in power over Denmark. First, Claudius uses force to seize the Danish throne and remain there. Secondly, he lies and deceives people into following his evil plans. Finally, he maintains a self-centered attitude, focusing only on himself and not on his people. The first Machiavellian... middle of paper... sharp sword while the prince uses a harmless, blunt one. Finally, Claudio is extremely selfish. Instead of caring about the well-being of his kingdom and his people, he only cares about how he will continue to maintain his position. After Hamlet puts on a play with circumstances similar to the murder, the king can barely contain his guilt. He tries to repent before God, but ultimately comes to the conclusion that he is still reaping the benefits of killing the past king and cannot give it up. In his final plan to kill Hamlet, Claudius does not think of the well-being of his wife Gertrude. When he offers Hamlet a glass of poisoned wine, Gertrude takes it instead. Since the king wants Hamlet gone more than his wife's love, he doesn't say much about it. Hundreds of years after Hamlet was written, Claudius' clear Machiavellian traits still stand out today..