A Picture Perfect Prince: Spanish Emblems and Machiavelli’S Il Principe
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A Picture Perfect Prince: Spanish Emblems and Machiavelli’s Il principe by Joseph Barzetti Bachelor of Arts, Brock University, 2013 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies © Joseph Barzetti, 2017 University of Victoria All rights reserved. This thesis may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without the permission of the author. ii Supervisory Committee A Picture Perfect Prince: Spanish Emblems and Machiavelli’s Il principe by Joseph Barzetti Bachelor of Arts, Brock University, 2013 Supervisory Committee Dr. Pablo Restrepo-Gautier, Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies Supervisor Dr. Lloyd Howard, Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies Departmental Member iii Abstract Supervisory Committee Dr. Pablo Restrepo-Gautier, Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies Supervisor Dr. Lloyd Howard, Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies Departmental Member This thesis compares Spanish Golden Age emblems on the education of the prince to Machiavelli’s Il principe to determine how Spanish emblem writers position themselves with respect to Machiavelli’s ideas on the topic. Keith David Howard’s The Reception of Machiavelli in Early Modern Spain serves as the theoretical and methodological basis for this study. Howard identifies three categories that historians have used to classify Spanish authors and their positions towards Machiavelli’s ideas: those who reject Machiavelli’s ideas, those who accept them almost completely, and those who attempt to blend Machiavelli’s ideas with Christian values. Howard believes that the first two categories are oversimplifications that lead to a misunderstanding of the Spanish reception of the works by the Florentine author. This research project aims to determine whether Howard is correct in stating that the first two groups are oversimplifications and explores how Spanish emblem writers position themselves vis-à- vis Machiavellian ideas. Three case studies provide an analysis and comparison of emblems to Machiavelli’s Il principe. Machiavelli’s Discorsi offer further material for analysis and comparison. iv Table of Contents Supervisory Committee ...................................................................................................... ii Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................. vi Dedication ........................................................................................................................ viii Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 The Spanish Reception of Machiavelli ............................................................................................ 7 Chapter 1. Machiavelli and His Times .............................................................................. 10 Family History and Early Years ...................................................................................................... 10 Political Atmosphere of Machiavelli’s Italy ............................................................................... 11 Medici Family and the French and Spanish Claims in Italy ............................................. 11 Girolamo Savonarola ..................................................................................................................... 15 Soderini and the return of the Medici ....................................................................................... 17 Charles V and the Spanish Claims in Italy ............................................................................. 18 Cesare Borgia ................................................................................................................................... 19 Il principe ................................................................................................................................................ 22 Lack of Morals ................................................................................................................................. 23 Virtù ..................................................................................................................................................... 25 Machiavelli and Religion .................................................................................................................. 28 Chapter 26 of Il Principe ................................................................................................................... 29 The Question of Language ................................................................................................................ 30 I Discorsi ................................................................................................................................................. 32 Other Works by Machiavelli ............................................................................................................ 33 Chapter 2. The Emblem: Italy to Spain ............................................................................. 35 Description ............................................................................................................................................. 35 Inscriptio ............................................................................................................................................ 35 Pictura ................................................................................................................................................ 36 Subscriptio ......................................................................................................................................... 36 Origins ..................................................................................................................................................... 37 The Greek Epigram ........................................................................................................................ 37 Hieroglyphics ................................................................................................................................... 39 Impresas ............................................................................................................................................. 41 Andrea Alciati ....................................................................................................................................... 43 The First Emblems ............................................................................................................................... 45 Alciati in Spain ..................................................................................................................................... 47 v Important Emblem authors in Spain .............................................................................................. 51 Chapter 3. Diego de Saavedra Fajardo: Religion Makes it Right ..................................... 54 Chapter 4. Juan de Horozco y Covarrubias: Dogs, Men and God .................................... 74 Chapter 5. Sebastián de Covarrubias Horozco: Over Achieving and Under Watch ......... 93 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 108 Appendix ......................................................................................................................... 113 Works Cited ..................................................................................................................... 118 vi Acknowledgments I wish to thank the many people that have been a part of this experience. Professor Pablo Restrepo-Gautier, for his guidance, patience, and wisdom. Your expertise of the emblem field has allowed me to find connections between all my interests, making this study truly fascinating. Your direction and understanding during the research and writing process is greatly appreciated. It has been a pleasure to work with you on this endeavour. Professor Lloyd Howard for his time, and dedication to this study. Your vast knowledge has been crucial to this research and has acted like a guide through the “dark wood”. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with you as a student in class and advisor to this project. I would like to thank the Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies at the University of Victoria for their generous final award, which offered me the opportunity to pursue and complete my studies. Their offering of a Masters Degree in Hispanic and Italian Studies has allowed me to continue my education without having to choose between the two fields in which I have come to be so passionate. Thank-you to all the faculty and staff at the University of Victoria for making my studies enjoyable and enlightening, it has been an invaluable experience. I would like to thank the Dumlao-Foreland family for all their kindness and support. You have been like a second family to me, and made adjusting to Victoria very easy and very comfortable. I cannot forget to give a very special thank you to Matthew for being my friend, and for being