What is Machiavellianism?
It is a type of character who has an evil and deceitful character. This character is ready to do anything possible moral or immoral in order to get to power, or to fulfill his wishes. Who is using clever ways of scheming to deceive and manipulate others around him. Of course this process is without the realization of those who have been manipulated. Therefore, Machiavellianism is considered to be an amoral principle which is why "The end justifies the means." According to Machiavellianism it is alright to take advantage of the others in order to get what you want.
Machiavellianism is one of the important themes in tragedy plays as major themes. Therefore, "The Spanish Tragedy" which is the first revenge tragedy in English literature, written by Thomas Kyd during the Elizabethan age. In this play a Machiavellian villain plays an important role in making troubles and taking advantage of the others throughout the drama.
Lorenzo is the Cyprian Duke's son and the nephew of King of Spain. Lorenzo is a fine image of a Machiavellian reprobate and manipulative person. He uses his language cunningly. Simply, Lorenzo makes the use of his verbal slyness to lead the individuals around him to disgrace, because of their weak points and absence of knowledge. Therefore, he is an inhumane, eager, and misleading man; who tries to advance a marriage between his sister Bellimperia and the Portuguese ruler Balthazar.
Spain and Portugal were at war which the Spaniards won it. Then Balthazar conveyed back to Spain as the joint hostage of Horatio and Lorenzo. After an argument over his captive, Balthazar admits that both Lorenzo and Horatio have held him as a prisoner. Balthazar says that I surrendered myself to Lorenzo in courtesy. He spoke to me kindly and promises me to live if I surrender. Therefore, "He won my love", but Horatio frightened and forced me to do so. It is very obvious that Balthazar praises Lorenzo for being gentle and kind to him. So, one can easily understand, that how Lorenzo took advantage of Balthazar's state to manipulate him through his language.
Later Balthazar falls in love with Bellimperia. So, Lorenzo supports him to marry her, thus he is his enemy. Again Lorenzo is reveling himself as a Machiavellian villain that he agrees his enemy to marry his sister, soon after the war, such as nothing has happened between them. Of course He wants to make the use of both Balthazar and his sister for his own political favour. Bellimperia refuses to marry him. Then Lorenzo finds out that his sister loves Don Horatio. He discovers through her servant Pedringano, by threatening and promising to give him some gold. Once again Lorenzo's inhumanity can be seen how manipulative and villain is.
Balthazar was sad and depressed, when he knew Bellimperia loves Horatio. Therefore, his anger against Horatio for loving Bellimperia upset him. While Lorenzo's cruelness and eagerness to vanish Horatio, is his priority because he thinks in a way that it is impossible for a member of lower class people to marry someone from the royal family. He also hates him over Balthazar's captive as well. This fact gives Lorenzo a good opportunity to get rid of Horatio. So, Lorenzo is the one who implants and urges Balthazar to kill Horatio. As he says "Let's go, my lord; your staying stays revenge. Do you but follow me, and gain your love: Her favour must be won by his remove. He also eavesdrops on his sister, whom met Horatio secretly. The exchange of expressing their love made Balthazar angry and says that Horatio is disrespectful and does not deserve Bellimperia. Then Lorenzo says wait and see how they will be apart and get joy from the Horatio's death. Then he plans to kills him he responds to Horatio and says" Dangers of death, but pleasures none at alI" it is very obvious that he is cruel, inhumane, and a Machiavellian villain, who only gets pleasure from killing Horatio. This indicates that he interests in power. He does not care about others feeling and emotions.
