We Four Kings
Throughout the numerous Shakespearean plays, examples of Machiavellian tenets can be found, when the kings are examined individually. Many of the kings are not paragons of Machiavelli’s ideals, to say the least, but there are some who represent them well. ... This method of ruling and waging warfare seemed to be beneficial to him, since he is the only one of the kings still alive at the end of their respective plays. ... Every point in the spectrum of leadership ability is represented by one of the kings in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Richard III, Macbeth, and Henry V. If the four kings are to judged according to Machiavellian standards, then Henry stands at the top, followed by Macbeth, then Richard III, and finally by the pathetic Claudius. ... The underhanded, ruthless kings actually fail at more Machiavellian tenets than does the upright, honest king.