Francesco Guicciardini Criticism
Francesco Guicciardini (1483-1540) was an influential Italian historian, diplomat, and political writer known for his association with Niccolò Machiavelli and his seminal work, Storia d'Italia (History of Italy). Initially perceived as cold and cynical, modern critics appreciate his detailed portrayal of Renaissance Italy. Born into a noble Florentine family, Guicciardini pursued a legal education, leading to a distinguished political career, including roles as ambassador to Spain and governor under the Medici-dominated papacy. His writings, most notably History of Italy and Ricordi (Maxims and Reflections of a Renaissance Statesman), are celebrated for their keen insights into political and historical dynamics. Mario Domandi commends his ability to separate politics from ethics in Maxims, while Sidney Alexander highlights his modern focus on individual agency in history.
Guicciardini’s History of Italy, a reflective work written in his later years, examines Italy's domestic and European affairs from 1492 to 1534. The text is noted for its complex style and skepticism, reflecting a pessimistic view of the era, as Mark Phillips observes. Despite his prominent role in Florentine politics, Guicciardini faced criticism for his pragmatic support of the Medici, often perceived as aligning with the realpolitik approach shared with Machiavelli. However, his aristocratic perspective drew mixed reviews, celebrated for intellectual rigor yet criticized for detachment. Nicolai Rubinstein contrasts his work with Machiavelli’s, emphasizing Guicciardini's unique contributions.
In Guicciardini's political treatises and reports, such as the Relazione di Spagna (Report from Spain), he offers detailed historical insights, a trait noted by Sheila ffolliott, while his History of Florence underscores rational thought, as per Mario Domandi. Although none of his works were published in his lifetime, Guicciardini's contributions have since been recognized for their intellectual depth, as discussed by Peter Bondanella, who traces the enduring relevance of his writings in modern critical literature.
Contents
- Principal Works*
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Essays
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Introductory Notes to Francesco Guicciardini: Selected Writings
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In the following brief notes, Grayson describes the contents, physical appearance, and publication history of Guicciardini's Ricordi, Considerations on the 'Discourses' of Machiavelli, and Ricordanze.
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Introduction to Maxims and Reflections of a Renaissance Statesman (Ricordi)
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In the following essay, Rubinstein provides an overview of Guicciardini's eighteen-year endeavor known as the Ricordi, and points out the differences in Guicciardini's work from that of his contemporary and colleague, Machiavelli.
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Translator's Preface to Maxims and Reflections of a Renaissance Statesman (Ricordi)
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In the following essay, Domandi asserts that Guicciardini's Maxims, like the writings of his colleague Machiavelli, should be commended for separating politics from ethics.
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Introduction to The History of Italy
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In the following excerpt, Alexander compares Guicciardini's writing style to that of several twentieth-century writers, asserting that Guicciardini's style is modern because it focuses on the individual in history.
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Introduction to The History of Florence
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In the following excerpt, Domandi examines the structure, style, and purpose of Guicciardini's History of Florence and notes that the work stresses the importance of rational thought.
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The Historian's Language
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In the following essay, Phillips examines the writing style displayed in Guicciardini's Storia d'Italia (The History of Italy), concluding that the style is complicated, cool, and 'mannered,' but that it can also be passionate when called for by the subject matter; additionally, Phillips observes that Guicciardini's writing is a good example of the ambiguity found in humanism.
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Francesco Guicciardini's Report from Spain: Introduction
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In the following essay, ffolliott describes the Report from Spain as a genre of writing new to the Renaissance, and observes that this report reveals much about the Florentine Republic's relationship with Spain at a particular point in history.
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Francesco Guicciardini in Modern Critical Literature
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In the following essay, Bondanella traces the publication history of Guicciardini's writings, noting that while some of his editors have been interested in the moral content of his work, others have concentrated on his style and method.
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Guicciardini and the Humanist Historians
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In the following essay, Wilcox places Guicciardini within the tradition of Renaissance humanist historians but stipulates that Guicciardini's writings differ from the rest thanks to his understanding both of individual psychology and of the complex, changing connections between historical events.
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Proverbial Signs: Formal Strategies in Guicciardini's Ricordi
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In the following essay, Struever suggests that Guicciardini presented his Ricordi as a set of proverbs in order to express important ethical ideas in a traditional and therefore intimate, accessible form.
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Divine Order, Fate, Fortune and Human Action in Guicciardini's Storia d'Italia
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In the following essay, DiMaria argues that Guicciardini's Storia d'Italia reflects the spirit of the times; that is, Guicciardini acknowledges the large part that fortune plays in an increasingly complex world even as he asserts that individuals have a measure of power over events.
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Introduction to Dialogue on the Government of Florence
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In the following excerpt, Brown provides a close assessment of Guicciardini's Dialogue, compares his work to that of his colleague Machiavelli, and concludes that while Guicciardini preferred freedom to tyranny, he was ultimately a practical man who believed in realpolitik.
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Introductory Notes to Francesco Guicciardini: Selected Writings
(summary)
- Further Reading