For five centuries, literary treasures had lain dormant in the
archives of the Palazzo Tuttofare in Florence. Through a fortunate
coincidence they have been recently discovered, and the present
work is the result of this find. Contained herein, in fact, is the
unedited correspondence - or presented as such - exchanged between
Desiderius Erasmus, Thomas More, and Niccolo Machiavelli in
1517-1518. To these letters are added texts which serve, as it
were, as annexes of the Prince and of the Utopia.Between these
three illustrious writers the discussion, or the quarrel, bears
chiefly on two themes: the art of governing on the one hand, and
the art of writing on the other. As was to be expected, they battle
over the best manner of governing: Erasmus and More on one side,
Machiavelli on the other. The confrontation occurs on two terrains
in particular: morality and necessity in politics, and the
political forms of necessity. In the background of the quarrel is
raised the problem of Christianity's political power, perhaps that
of its truth.The second theme is not unrelated to the first.
Erasmus, More, and Machiavelli are accomplished writers. Each has
several styles at his command, each knows and practices the
resources of the art of writing, each intends to read as he should.
And so in the margins of their discussion about substance, they
argue about the significance of their respective works; they
interpret, rightly or wrongly, the others' manners of writing; they
explain their own writing or dodge explanation, they deliver their
secret or lead into error. What is at stake is the meaning of these
enigmatic works, which are the Prince (1513), the Utopia (1516),
and, to a lesser extent, the Praise of Folly (1511). Any lifting of
the veil necessitates a golden rule: we cannot grasp the meaning of
a work unless we grasp the manner in which it was written. In the
case of Erasmus, More, and Machiavelli, cunning has a role to play.
The author has taken a leaf from their book. "And from the days of
John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth
violence, and the violent bear it away." - Matthew 11:12
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
