Machiavelli and A Song of Ice and Fire [SPOILER ALERT]

The multiple rules that Machiavelli lays down in The Prince and the advice that he gave reminded me immensely of George R. R. Martin's a song of ice and fire. Many of the rules and consequences of not following these rules can be seen displayed in the unfolding of fictional events which take place in Martin's immense epic. Here are but a few of the connections that can be made.

"When you see a minister thinking more of himself than of you, and in all his actions seeking his own ends, that man can never be a good Minister or one that you can trust" (Machiavelli, 62).

This rule is unfortunately ignored by a multitude of characters throughout the series. Petyr Baelish, a.k.a. Littlefinger, was notoriously self serving and served as master of coin on the small council. Working for himself, Baelish held power over the entire city guard through his commandeer over the King's wealth. Instead of helping Ned Stark overthrow Joffrey, he paid off the guard to capture Ned and help execute him as a traitor, breaking his word. In analyzing Ned Stark's faults we can find that he breaks one of Machiavelli's Rules as well:

"Thus, it is well to seem merciful, faithful, humane, religious, and upright, and also to be so; but the mind should remain so balanced that were it needful not to be so, you should be able and know how to change to the contrary" (Machiavelli, 46). 

Ned Stark, to his demise, did not "know how to change to the contrary" and in his grasp to maintain what was upright and faithful to his kingdom, Ned was betrayed and executed. Petyr Baelish on the other hand executed this rule flawlessly. He would play the role of an honest and caring honorable gentleman and when it served him would pursue the course of action which would lead to the greatest personal gain. In his own words, Machiavelli would doubtlessly describe Baelish as more fox than lion and "he who was best known to play the fox has had the best success" (Machiavelli, 46).

Cersei Lannister and her son, Joffrey, are at fault for abusing the privilege of a fortress. The Red Keep separates them from their citizens and, as a result, leads them down a path that would make Machiavelli roll over in his grave. The citizens of King's Landing, living in the poverty caused by the their isolation from the rest of the kingdom and the use of taxes upon luxury for the elites and war, began to hate the lords and ladies residing in the Red Keep. As machiavelli says it is never good to have your own subjects hate you and indeed he goes as far as to say

"...I shall applaud him who builds fortresses, and him who does not; but I shall blame him who, trusting in them, reckons it a light thing to be held in hatred by his people" (Machiavelli, 58).

Cersei and Joffrey are completely oblivious to the the words of Machiavelli and ignore the hatred of their subjects thinking that their fortress will protect them. This is the EXACT OPPOSITE of what he Machiavelli preaches and they pay the consequences. Cersei is eventually imprisoned by her people (in the form of the church) and is completely shamed in front of her people. Machiavelli would be furious of their decisions, but would probably rest easy knowing they got what was coming to them.