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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What is a constant threat to any prince?
(a) Assassination.
(b) Loss of income.
(c) Invasion.
(d) Unpopularity.

3. What is the best type of mind Machiavelli says is needed for a strong prince?
(a) One that can understand what other men think.
(b) One that has no opinions whatsoever.
(c) One that takes only a short time to make a decision
(d) One that can think for himself.

4. What causes the people to begin to support the new prince?
(a) Getting surprise gifts from the prince.
(b) Seeing many changes in their daily lives.
(c) Seeing they are well off.
(d) Having audiences with the prince.

5. Why does Machiavelli say that the sultans of Turkey and Egypt had to listen more to the military than to the people?
(a) Their countries were controlled by the military.
(b) All the men were drafted into the military.
(c) The people did not understand the threats of invasion.
(d) The best people were in their militaries.

6. In his discussion of the qualities of a good leader, how does Machiavelli depart from the accepted rules?
(a) He does not accept the idea that a prince must be good in all matters.
(b) He thinks that if the prince is always good, the people will imitate him.
(c) He says a prince must always do the will of the people.
(d) He accepts the Christian ideals of his time.

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

8. What Biblical example does Machiavelli use to show that someone else's arms are useless?
(a) David and Goliath.
(b) Samson and Delilah.
(c) Caleb and Joshua.
(d) Egypt and Syria.

9. What in Machiavelli's opinion is the problem with a prince being too liberal with his subjects?
(a) He will not have time to enjoy his own life.
(b) Everyone will always fear him because he might take away his liberality.
(c) Eventually his liberality will lead to burdensome taxation.
(d) People will not take him seriously when he has a problem.

10. What Roman Emperor does Machiavelli cite as an example of being both a lion and a fox?
(a) Julius Caesar.
(b) Marc Anthony.
(c) Septimius Severus.
(d) Antonius Severus.

11. What is Machiavelli's advice about people who do things that ultimately enrich the princedom?
(a) They should be viewed with suspicion.
(b) They should be taxed heavier than others.
(c) Their property should be confiscated.
(d) They should be amply rewarded.

12. What can a new prince be assured of?
(a) That he will be watched closely.
(b) That he will automatically have the loyalty of his subjects.
(c) That no one expects him to do anything unusual.
(d) That there will be a time of stability in the early days.

13. How is a prince ultimately judged?
(a) By his years as a prince.
(b) By his wealth and grandeur.
(c) By his results.
(d) By the mob.

14. What does the prince gain from rewarding his ministers well for jobs well done?
(a) He gets a percentage of all those ministers make from taking bribes.
(b) He gets their support without fear of their trying to overthrow him.
(c) He gets losts of gifts from those ministers who become wealthy.
(d) He gets time to look around for new ministers who are not so dangerous.

15. What does Machiavelli say the King of Naples and the Duke of Milan had in common?
(a) They both lost their dominions in Italy.
(b) They both improved the laws in their dominions.
(c) They both learned quickly how to rule effectively.
(d) They both had great skill in dealing with the nobles.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli say that auxiliary forces are more dangerous than mercenaries?

2. Why is a reputation for cruelty necessary for a prince?

3. What does Machiavelli say is the first requirement of a commander?

4. Why does Machiavelli insist that a prince need not always be honest?

5. What response does a prince receive if he is seen as fickle, effeminate, cowardly, frivolous, or irresolute?

(see the answer keys)

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