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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Those who were viewed with suspicion at the beginning of a princedom usually become the most loyal subjects. Why?
(a) They never did anything to cause distrust in the first place.
(b) The prince was a poor judge of character in the beginning.
(c) The prince will use them for unpopular tasks.
(d) They work hard to gain the approval of the prince.

2. How does Machiavelli define auxiliary forces?
(a) Women mercenaries who fight along side of men.
(b) Extra manpower that may be called to active duty during a war.
(c) Those borrowed from other principalities to wage war.
(d) The best insurance a prince has for his safety.

3. Why should a prince keep down factions in his princedom?
(a) Factions keep him tied up as a judge all the time.
(b) People enjoy the debates and work production slows down.
(c) The weaker faction will side with an outside enemy, and the stronger will not be able to hold out.
(d) The prince must decide which faction is stronger and play up to them.

4. What metaphor does Machiavelli use to explain his ideas about Fortune?
(a) We cannot control the wind and are blown about by it.
(b) Fortune as a mistress who always gets the upper hand on man.
(c) The animals know when to seek higher ground even before a flood happens.
(d) We cannot stop a river from overflowing, but we can make provisions against the disaster.

5. Why is a reputation for cruelty necessary for a prince?
(a) To show his tough love.
(b) To keep people from asking too much.
(c) To maintain control of his army.
(d) To defend himself from mercenaries.

6. What is it that a prince cannot control among his subjects?
(a) Their love.
(b) Their fear.
(c) Their cooperation.
(d) Their taxation.

7. What does Machiavelli suggest will be the reaction of the people if he is greedy and seizes property and women?
(a) They will support him.
(b) They will think he is a just ruler.
(c) They will become like him.
(d) They will hate him.

8. What dichotomy does Machiavelli present regarding goodness and vices in a prince?
(a) Goodness will preserve his princedom while vices will bring his downfall.
(b) His goodness may lead to his downfall whereas his vices may sometimes keep him safe.
(c) Vices can be balanced out by the amount of fear they generate.
(d) People see goodness as weakness and vices as strengths.

9. How does Machiavelli justify his position that a prince is not duty bound to keep his word?
(a) He says it is the only way to keep the people satisfied that he knows what he is doing.
(b) He says men are basically self-centered and will not keep their word, so the prince is not obligated to do so.
(c) He says that a prince should always change his mind about everything until he gets all the facts.
(d) He says that people always believe everything a prince says, so he can say what he pleases.

10. Although Machiavelli says that Pope Julius II was impetuous in all he did, still he succeeded. Why?
(a) Fate caused many changes during his time.
(b) He relied on God to keep him safe.
(c) His actions fit the times.
(d) Because of his successes, he always looked for new ways of doing things.

11. Which examples does Machiavelli use to support the idea of not being overly generous?
(a) King Midas and King Darius.
(b) King Saul and Ramses the Great.
(c) Moses and the Duke of Milan.
(d) The King of Spain and the King of France.

12. Why should a prince declare himself as for or against two warring factions?
(a) He will be able to deal with the loser.
(b) He should not be seen as waivering.
(c) He will always know which side will win.
(d) He should look like he is wiser than other princes.

13. What does Machiavelli say is the only art expected of a prince?
(a) The art of fine living.
(b) The art of war.
(c) The art of diplomacy.
(d) The art of collecting.

14. What results when a ruler lacks resolution and his mind is easily changed.
(a) Ministers always wait to see what a final decision will be.
(b) The people have no confidence in him.
(c) The people like his easy going style.
(d) Everyone knows what to expect. from the laws.

15. Which statement is true according to Machiavelli?
(a) Men care more about offending those they love than those they fear.
(b) It is better to be feared than loved.
(c) A prince should be quick to believe and quick to act.
(d) Men are more likely to break a promise made in fear.

Short Answer Questions

1. What historical example does Machiavelli give to show how a military should be organized?

2. What example does Machiavelli give of a ruler in whom his people have no confidence?

3. What does Machiavelli suggest is wrong with concepts of an ideal princedom or republic.

4. What does Machiavelli say the new prince can least afford?

5. What, according to Machiavelli, is better than actually having all the good qualities of leadership?

(see the answer keys)

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