Skip to main content

What “Machiavellian” really means - Pazit Cahlon and Alex Gendler

3,030,126 Views

10,303 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

From Shakespeare’s plays to modern TV dramas, the unscrupulous schemer for whom the ends always justify the means has become a familiar character type we love to hate. For centuries, we’ve had a single word to describe such characters: Machiavellian. But is it possible that we’ve been using that word wrong this whole time? Pazit Cahlon and Alex Gendler investigate the origins of the term.

Think 6 Multiple Choice &
3 Open Answer Questions Dig Deeper Learn More Discuss 1 Guided Discussion &
0 Open Discussions

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Pazit Cahlon, Alex Gendler
  • Director Hector Herrera
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Producer Pazit Cahlon
  • Composer Andrew Scott
  • Sound Designer Nick Sewell
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Fact-Checker Francisco Diez

More from The World's People and Places