Characteristics of a Machiavelli in The Spanish Tragedy and HamletTo understand a Renaissance Machiavelli as depicted in The Spanish Tragedy and Hamlet, it is necessary to find characters from the two works who present the characteristics of a Machiavelli (Plot, secret and possibly murder). This is the hardest part, because most of the main characters in both plays exhibit some, if not all, of these characteristics - even though neither Heironimo nor Hamlet are villains, they both rely on Machiavellian tactics; they both feign madness so as not to appear threatening, then strike when you least expect it: I will avenge his death! But how? Not like the vulgar minds of men, with obvious but inevitable evils, as by a secret but certain means, which under kindness will be best masked. The Spanish Tragedy III xiii 20-24 This behavior is repeated by Hamlet after his meeting with his father. ghost. This madness, this posturing and this preparation for revenge, although for good reason, is undoubtedly Machiavellian. It is undoubtedly true that the madness experienced by both characters is not entirely simulated, as both are under extreme mental stress. This very real madness is reflected in the rambling, sharply stopped lines that Hamlet and Heironimo use in their soliloquies: O most pernicious woman! O wicked, wicked, wicked smiling villain! My tables. I wrote it down, so we could smile, and smile, and be a bad guy. At least I'm sure it can be like this in Denmark. So, uncle, here you are. Now my word is "farewell, farewell, remember me." I have sworn not toHamlet I v 105-112However, Machiavellian behavior is not limited to the middle of paper. ...I did better, in Hamlet's eyes at least, to wait longer before doing it. In conclusion, it would seem that a Renaissance Machiavellian is anyone who uses Machiavellian ideas to influence others, whether for good or evil. These Machiavellian ideas and strategies range from subtlety and cover-up to murder and eradication of witnesses. Essentially, Machiavellianism, in revival terms, is the process by which a person attempts to influence others through various means. Machiavellianism is not limited to villains, since heroic characters also use it. The definition of a Renaissance Machiavellian ranges from the evil scheming Lorenzo to the anti-heroic Heironimo. Works Cited Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Ed. Cyrus Hoy. 2nd ed. New York: Norton, 1992. Kyd, Thomas. The Spanish tragedy. Ed. Philip Edwards. London: Methuen, 1959.