Compare and contrast both authors

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Compare and Contrast Machiavelli and Blake
In the society, people have the freedom to choose the course of life they wish to follow. Some decide to be heretics, some politicians, others ministers of the gospel and various other ways. But even so, it is important to ensure that no one brings any disturbance or havoc to the other people. It is prudent to observe the rights of others. In this essay, the focus is on two different characters that took diverse ways in their lives. Machiavelli was considered to be a politician that looked satirical in his writing. Advice that he gives are ill-intentioned and malicious, yet he claims to be fighting for the people. On the other hand, Blake is one that fights for the Lord and holds strong Christian Principles. The role of this essay is to elucidate on comparison and differences between the two authors.
Similarities between Machiavelli and William Blake
Both of these two authors are trying to champion for leadership in the society. Machiavelli was an Italian diplomat and a political theorist. People sometimes claim his written work “The Prince” as the first works of modern philosophy and especially modern political philosophy. Under this job, of importance is the compelling truth than any idea that is abstract. This work also was in direct criticism and struggle with the Catholic stand and the scholastic policies of the time that relates to politics and morals. William Blake, on the other hand, was an English poet, painter and a printmaker.

He is proclaimed to be the greatest artist that Britain has ever had (Blake, 20). The Bible was one of the most significant sources of influence in the life of Blake.
Secondly, they both have something to be remembered. The most known work of Machiavelli is the treatise which brought the word as a pejorative Machiavellian into its use. The general theme that exists in The Prince agrees with the aims of princes, for instance, glory, and survival. This can be a justification of achievement of these ends by immoral means. Machiavelli says he that neglects what is done for what ought to be done will soon affect his ruin than his preservation. For William Blake, he is remembered for reproving cruel irrationality of forced chastity and matrimony without love and defends the right of women to the completion of self-fulfilment.
Thirdly, they are both concerned with the welfare of the society. Machiavelli puts emphasis on problems arising in the society, and he says that one should not just have a concern about the current challenges but should also think of future times. He also adds that since time can bring both good and evil, one should not just enjoy the benefit of time but instead the interests of one’s virtue and prudence. Blake is also doing his best in ensuring that people get the message of Jesus Christ that everyone may prepare for the second coming of the Lord which makes the necessity of keeping in mind what is also to come in the future. By people getting this message, it makes them develop morally and avoid the evil which becomes a benefit to the society.
Differences between Machiavelli and Blake
Machiavelli is politically minded while Blake is focused on matters to do with Christ and he is not interested in politics in any way. Machiavelli says that a new prince can acquire or secure his power through brutal and immoral deeds like the execution of political rival (Marriott, 28). He advises that a prince should be able to find every possible way no matter how wicked and evil it may look to attain power that he may not commit any more wicked deed in the future. Machiavelli says that it is prudent to do this when the future is of concern. He says that one who does this as he enters power will not be able to repeat the same while in authority and claims that he will then be able to lead well. The author says the acquisition of power should be in an acceptable manner rather than the use of force. These are Machiavelli political views. On the contrary, Blake had no interest in matters concerning politics and was not active in any political party that was well-established. As documented in David Erdman’s study, his poetry consistently embodied an approach of revolution against the exploitation of power (Erdman, 22). He presents Christ Jesus not as a philosopher or a traditional messianic character, but as a superlatively creative creature who is above dogma, logic, and even decency. To him, Jesus is a symbol of significant relationship and togetherness that exist between divinity and humanity.
The second difference is that Machiavelli looks careless when it comes to matters concerning upholding and maintaining good values in the society. He is less concerned with any negative consequences that may befall him with regards to paying no attention to other people’s lives. He gives no respect. His decisions have ill motives. For example, he advises that it doesn’t matter the manner in which a leader takes the position he is interested in if it can come with any adverse effects or not and so lacks respect even to himself. Considering Blake, The fear of God is what describes his character. His life is seen to be much devoted to the work of Christ that involves teaching and writing manuscripts such as a focus in the book of Job (Job 1:5). He is recognized as a “saint in the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica.” He won a prize of religious art in 1949 meaning that besides being in love with Christ, he was also hard working (Blake, 19).
The third difference is that Machiavelli is more concerned with cultural values. Some cultural values support traditionalism and war, and that is why he gives advice to the prince on perfecting the art of war. With William Blake, the fear of God is what describes his character.
The fourth difference concerns morality. With Machiavelli, morality looks much compromised here. When he advises that the prince should find ways of getting to power without giving care to the individuals who may in one way be adversely affected, this is a show of deterioration in morals. He also looks to be somebody who likes conflicts and wars. On the contrary, the personal values of Blake are described as composed and with less complication. He is involved in matters concerning salvation that puts him far from the moral decay. He values himself and even others as seen in the kind of love that he shows his wife and the society as a whole through his work. His cultural background clearly indicates that he hails from a ground that is less concerned with the cultural beliefs but is much devoted to the Christian faith. It is said that Blake could experience visions in the Abbey and could saw Messiah and his Apostles and the great march of monks and clerics.
Fourthly, Machiavelli is undergoing a conflict with those that uphold truth and justice when he is trying to push for those going for power through his wicked means. On the other hand, the kind of conflict that seems apparent in the life of Blake is that he struggles much to ensure that people transform to believing Jesus. He battles much in ensuring that people avoid their traditions and every other kind of evil done by individuals and embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. His vision is to make sure that people transform to believing the Bible.
It can be evaluated further on the contribution of the work of Blake’s on the French Revolution that influenced his writing. These facts were clearly and well-known by many Romantic authors’. “The high hopes are going into the French Revolution and the devastation that occurred internalized in the creative minds resulting in a new literary genre inspired by disillusion and false hope” (“The Influence of the French Revolution on Romantic Literature,” 2016).
Achieving a peaceful environment that is devoid of any hitch, it is good when people come together and express each other to realize a better understanding. Whereas people are free to choose what they want to do, it is good to maintain peace. The advice that Machiavelli gives are ill-intentioned and malicious, yet he claims to be fighting for the people. This can ruin the whole society. On the other hand, Blake is one that fights for the Lord and holds strong Christian Principles, and this is the best way to go. The bulk of this essay has concentrated on major similarities and differences occurring between Machiavelli and Blake.

Works Cited
Blake, William. Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience. Champaign, Ill: Project Gutenberg, 1990. Internet resource.
Erdman, David V. Blake: Prophet against empire. Courier Corporation, 1977.
Machiavelli, Niccolò, and W K. Marriott. The Prince. Waiheke Island: Floating Press, 2008. Internet resource.
The Influence of the French Revolution on Romantic Literature. (2016). Unacknowledgedlegislatorsoftheworld.blogspot.co.ke. Retrieved 2 December 2016, from http://unacknowledgedlegislatorsoftheworld.blogspot.co.ke/2009/12/influence-of-french-revolution-on.html