Machiavelli as a dramatist the ultimate symbol of virtú in "Mandragola", as a ‘self-portrait’ of Machiavelli. Ligurio assembles the spectrum of schemes in the play, from the Mandrake potion, to Frate Timoteo's assistance, to Callimaco's disguise and capture by Nicia. Though every character in the play participates in some form of a manipulative act, Ligurio stands out because of his impressive adaptability to tribulations. Even more extraordinary is Ligurio's aptitude for judging human character. This comprehension of character is the type of awareness that is necessary for successful acts of manipulation. One of the many places we experience Ligurio's qualitative insight is in his
Machiavelli as a dramatist connects with the action, but is removed enough from the stage that there is no looming fear. Like in "The Prince", Machiavelli argues that uniting opportunistic fortune and skillful strength allows for competence and accord. Machiavelli used those words, "fortuna" and "virtù", literally and figuratively in both pieces to demonstrate that immorality is acceptable when the ends justify the means. In "Mandragola", Machiavelli dramatically portrays these ideas by making the protagonist boast "virtù" and his leading lady encompass "fortuna". The protagonist Callimaco is the virtuous prince that Machiavelli alludes to in "The Prince"; he has the fervent aspiration, but also