Machiavelli, who never really saw himself as a philosopher, was influenced by several aspects and realities of his day. Machiavelli was witness to several harsh realities of how states are built when the Borgias attempted to secure large portions of central Italy as part of their rule. Religion and the defense of the church and its interests were often used as justification for some of the horrific acts exacted by the Borgias. Machiavelli was in many ways infatuated with Cesare Borgia due to the ruthlessness in his determination exacting nature of his vengeance. These and many other occurrences influenced his writings. and as such "The Prince" raises several themes, regarding power, vice, virtue, influence, religion, and others that are critical to our understanding of the state and the rulers within the state.

These issues in Machiavelli's writing are raised throughout culture and politics all the time. See the clip below from Amazon's "Utopia" as an example of the blending of these principles into social and geopolitical issues:

Based on your understanding of the Prince, and Machiavelli's view and perspective on virtue, compare and contrast his view with that of Plato as evidenced from his works on justice, morality, and virtue. Who's perspective do you support? Is it possible that a certain level of evil and unjust behavior can in effect produce "good?" To what degree would the state be accepting of this principle?