APPEARANCE VERSUS REALITY AND THE ACCOMPANYING EVIL IN THE FOUR MAJOR SHAKESPEAREAN TRAGEDIES ANALYZED THROUGH MACHIAVELLIAN LENS

Abstract

This paper aim is to determine how far Machiavellian principles have
shaped the action of the leading characters in the analyzed plays. It analyzes four major
Shakespearean tragedies as being representative of the theme of appearance versus reality.
This theme is closely associated with the Machiavellian notion of virtù, or possessing a
“flexible disposition”, in other words being able to change your behavior from bad to good
and vice versa according to circumstances in order for a man of power to achieve “great
things”. This paper argues that although the analyzed characters follow to a various degree
Machiavelli`s precept, all of them fail. Shakespeare it seems, intentionally or unintentionally
follows the Biblical message that God punishes the wicked.