Nicholas PavickDr. Kelly DeVriesEurope and the WorldMarch 2, 2014The Plot Against MediciWhen interpreting a novel, it is easy to delve deeper into its meaning, especially if you have never gone through this process before. To accurately delve into the meaning and/or thesis of the novel, the reader must think critically, develop a theory, and support it with details from the story. The reader cannot be afraid of getting lost in the book or speculating about the implications of the story. In the novel April Blood, author Lauro Martines spoils the reader by including all the horrible punishments meted out to the Pazzi conspirators. Martines' writing does not lack detail throughout the story, even providing an engaging and energetic approach to the story. However, it does not reach the climax of the events of April 26 until halfway through the novel. Martine's biggest goal here is to show how this mix of aspects has to do with the attempted overthrow of the Medici. Personally, I still find it irrational and barbaric that two groups of people can allow money and power to ruin a relationship. Greed can sometimes be our greatest enemy, and with revenge as a compliment, disaster begins to brew, or in this case, the Medici Pazzi conspiracy. Most of the stories are written from the winner's point of view, however, Martines offers the reader insight into Pazzi's state of mind. Thus, Martinez's thesis is revealed throughout the novel and is supported that politics, conflicts of interest, greed, and power were the main underlying factors that decided the relationships and outcomes of the powerful Medici family and the rapidly growing influence of the Pazzi. In high school I was asked to do an essay on false power which directly...... middle of article ...... conflicts of interest, greed and power were the main underlying factors that decided the relationship and result of the powerful Medici family and the rapidly growing influence of the Pazzi. We can see revenge and politics in typical examples such as: Pazzi's ties to the Pope, Guglielmo Pazzi marrying Lorenzo's sister, Tommaso's corruption and support for the Medici, Lorenzo's attempted excommunication and the Lorenzo's visit to the King of Naples. Renaissance Italy was far from just art and literature, it was a jumble of politics and emotions and Martines is there every step of the way. Like all good stories, the reader learns that nothing good will ever come from evil and revenge. However, that is why we study history and read these novels like Martines', so that we can learn from the past and move forward, without making the same mistakes as our ancestors..