Response Paper- Topic 3

Sara McIsaac

ENGL-104

Brain Ganter

May 19th 2015

The Netflix original series House of Cards follows US congressman and House Majority Whip, Frank Underwood on his ruthless quest for power within Washington, D.C. Throughout the first season Frank employs many strategies for securing his power and acquiring more. Many of Frank’s tactics are reminiscent of the strategies outlined by political theorist Machiavelli in The Prince. While Franks Machiavellian approach to obtaining power is present throughout the entire season the following paper will focus on Frank Underwood’s relationship and manipulation of fellow congressman Peter Russo.

Early on in the first episode Frank is passed over for Secretary of State, a position he was promised. Shortly after he meets with Linda Vasquez, White House Chief of Staff, who explains that circumstances changed to which Frank, replies “The nature of promises…is that they remain immune to changing circumstances” (House of Cards, Season 1, Episode 1). However, as noted by Machiavelli “the ruler who has relied entirely on their promises and taken no other precautions is lost” (67). This is exactly what happened to Frank and is what pushed him to make use of Machiavelli’s strategies. Later on in the episode while speaking with Doug Stamper, his right hand man, he outlines his feelings towards earlier events and his new plan to obtain power within Washington. Frank states “They’ve done us a great favor Doug, we are no longer bound by allegiances, we serve no one we live by one rule and one rule only never again will we allow ourselves to be put in such a position” (House of Cards Season 1 Episode1). This scene shows that Frank has a plan to gain power and all he needs now is “an errand boy, someone we control completely” (House of Cards Season 1 Episode 1).

Congressman Peter Russo becomes this errand boy for Frank after Frank and Doug Stamper get Peter out of a DUI and solicitation charges. Frank uses Machiavelli’s strategy of evoking fear in people in order to obtain Peters “absolute, unquestioning loyalty” (House of Cards Season 1 Episode 1; Machiavelli 66). Machiavelli remarks that “Fear means fear of punishment, and that’s something people never forget” (66).Frank later uses this fear to further his plan and get Peter to shut down the shipyards in Peters district (House of Cards Season 1 Episode 4).

The closing of the shipyards resulted in a great deal of backlash for Peter leading him to arrive intoxicated at Frank’s house (House of Cards Season 1 Episode 5). A confrontation ensues shortly after in which Peter blames Frank for the closing and letting him take the fall (House of Cards Season 1 Episode 5). At this point in the season we can see Frank employing yet another one of Machiavelli’s strategies, “Everyone sees what you seem to be, few have experience of who you really are” (71). Over the next few episodes Frank props Peter back up, helps him get sober and run for Governor of Pennsylvania. Furthermore, Frank aids Peter in sponsoring the Watershed Bill in order to bring back a portion of the jobs that were lost with the shipyards closing (House of Cards Season 1 Episodes 5–7). However, when the bill fails to pass Franks plan goes astray and he has to re-evaluate and implement new strategies; the fear which he instilled in Peter is fading (House of Cards Season 1 Episode 9). Peter tells Frank that “[He’s] not afraid of [him] anymore”, to which Frank replies “Then you’re mistaken”(House of Cards Season 1 Episode 10).

After the failure of the bill Frank is seemingly trying to save Peters campaign for Governor and possibly even his own plan for power (House of Cards Season 1 Episode 10). However, after a failed radio interview, Peter truly begins his downward spiral and becomes even more of a liability to Frank (House of Cards Season 1 Episode 10). Up until this point, it could be said that even though it was clear that Frank was using Peter as a pawn, Frank ultimately helped Peter get sober. This was not the case; in a meeting with the current Vice President, Jim Matthews, Frank reveals that he wants Matthews to run for governor (House of Cards Season 1 Episode 11). There is only one flaw with Franks plan, Peter (House of Cards Season 1 Episode 11).

The plan for Peter was that “He explodes, [Frank and Doug] put him back together and then he quietly goes away” but Peter isn’t going away (House of Cards Season 1 Episode 11). This is the point in the season where the viewer is reassured that Frank is both “mentally prepared to change as soon as [his] interests are threatened” and “[knows] how to be bad when the occasion demands” (Machiavelli 70; Machiavelli 71).While Frank has exemplified that he is able to be bad throughout the series his worst moment is killing Peter Russo as soon as he transitions from an asset to a liability proves just how far he is willing to go. Additionally, when the news of Peters ‘suicide’ is announced, Frank is consoled (House of Cards Season 1 Episode 11). Further solidifying the idea that Frank truly understands and takes advantage of Machiavelli’s aforementioned strategy that “Everyone sees what you seem to be, few have experience of who you really are” (71). Frank used Peter to achieve his goals and ultimately ended up taking his life, yet everyone still sees him in a different light.

In conclusion, while there are many examples of Frank going to great lengths to keep and maintain power throughout the whole first season, it seems to be a consistent theme in his relationship with Peter. Frank manipulates and instills fear in Peter throughout his quest, using many of Machiavelli’s strategies. In the end, he proves that he is willing to do anything he deems necessary in order to gain power, including killing Peter.