Rethinking Masculinity and Femininity in Niccolò Machiavelli's Thought (original) (raw)

This paper re-evaluates the gendered interpretations of Machiavelli's thought, particularly regarding his concepts of virtù and Fortuna. It argues that while traditional analyses have framed virtù as a masculine quality opposed to the feminine Fortuna, a closer examination reveals more complex, potentially fluid gender orientations in his political philosophy. By exploring Machiavelli's treatment of gender categories within the context of early modern politics, the work seeks to uncover alternative relationships between masculinity and femininity that challenge oversimplified notions of misogyny.