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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Machiavelli suggest is wrong with concepts of an ideal princedom or republic.
(a) It is not useful as a mental exercise.
(b) It has no basis in reality.
(c) More people have not considered the concepts.
(d) It can only be accomplished by a pure leader.

2. What, according to Machiavelli, is better than actually having all the good qualities of leadership?
(a) Keeping all promises.
(b) Having the appearance of being religious.
(c) Really understanding the problems of the people.
(d) Never forgetting anything said in the past.

3. Who is Machiavelli's ultimate example of the correct use of cruelty?
(a) Moses.
(b) Hannibal.
(c) King Louis.
(d) Alexander the Great.

4. Why does Machiavelli argue against a prince being overly generous?
(a) By being generous the people love him excessively.
(b) By being generous, he avoids beeing seen as a miser.
(c) His generosity includes being able to pay his military high wages.
(d) To support his generosity, the prince must tax his subjects heavily.

5. What is the one thing a man cannot fight against according to Machiavelli?
(a) Religion.
(b) Man's own nature.
(c) Overwhelming bad fortune.
(d) The weather.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What dichotomy does Machiavelli present regarding goodness and vices in a prince?

3. What message does a prince give his subjects if he builds a fortress for himself?

4. In his discussion of the qualities of a good leader, how does Machiavelli depart from the accepted rules?

5. What does Machiavelli say the King of Naples and the Duke of Milan had in common?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss Machiavelli's discourse on flattery.

2. Detail how Machiavelli says Italian princes lose their dominions.

3. How does Machiavelli tell the prince to avoid assassination attempts against him?

4. How does Machiavelli suggest a prince can be cruel and still be respected?

5. Describe Machiavelli's position on fortresses.

6. Why does Machiavelli maintain that it is not possible for a prince to embody only good qualities?

7. What does Machiavelli say is the first estimate of a prince as a ruler? Why?

8. Why does Machiavelli caution against disarming the people of a conquered principality?

9. What kind of reading does Machiavelli advise for the prince? Why?

10. When there is peace outside the principality, what does Machiavelli caution against?

(see the answer keys)

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