Comparing Song of Roland, The Life Story of Pavlichenko, and The Prince :: Comparison Compare Contrast Essays

Comparing Song of Roland, The Life Story of Pavlichenko, and The Prince Abstract: By evaluating different approaches of rulers to their vassals, in The Song of Roland and The Life Story of Pavlichenko, Matvey Rodionych, it is shown that Machiavelli made a mistake when he came up with his general rule: â€Å"It is much safer to be feared than loved, if hi is to fail in one of the two.† (Machiavelli, 54). Darwin explained in his theory of natural selection, which primarily explains evolution, however also can be applied to any other situation in which sustainability is the primary concern as in ruler – vassal relationships, that only the strongest survived. Disregarding this fact Machiavelli came up with a false theory. Charlemagne is loved and succeeds, and only when hated he gets in danger. Nikitinsky is feared and dies. Both stories suit the condition of Machiavelli’s rule, and still it fails. When Darwin came up with his theory of natural selection, he explained why rulers, once they have acquired power, behave in a certain way that, to their belief, sustains their position. 1 Approximately 350 years earlier, Niccolà ² Machiavelli formulated a set of rules which was supposed to support rulers, in his case the prince of Milan, in doing so. One of his rules is: â€Å"It is much safer for a ruler to be feared than loved, if he is to fail in one of the two†(Machiavelli, 54). Juxtaposing The Song of Roland and The Life Story of Pavlichenko, Matvey Rodionych, two stories written on the bases of Ruler – Vassal relations, it becomes doubtful whether Machiavelli’s theory can be taken as cornerstone for any ruler’s principles. The theory of natural selection is widely accepted and will therefore be taken as fact in this argument. Darwin states in his theory that only the strongest survive. That suggests that a ruler’s position is only sustainable if he is stronger than his subjects and adversaries. Stronger in this case can be both, physically for example through armed forces or even physical strength, and psychologically for example through the use of superior rhetoric or wit. In most cases however, a combination of both will be necessary. In examining the relation of the ruler to his vassals, it is just as important to take into account other goals the ruler might have besides sustaining his position. His priority might also be the general well-being and the continuous development of his