Some aspects of the syntax of Machiavelli's familiar letters.

Abstract

After dismissing the "destructive" role of anacolutha, the paper examines the use of constructions with infinitive, past participle and gerund as alternatives to subordination in Machiavelli's familiar letters. In his most intimate letters Machiavelli employed everyday Florentine, whereas when discussing political matters he evolved his own individual style, keeping his sentences alive by employing a range of syntactic devices in order to examine all aspects of a set of circumstances.