View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How will a prince often be judged by others?
(a) By the number of sons he has.
(b) By the behavior of his ministers.
(c) By the size of his palace.
(d) By the family he marries into.

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

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

4. What response does a prince receive if he is seen as fickle, effeminate, cowardly, frivolous, or irresolute?
(a) Admiration.
(b) None.
(c) Strong support.
(d) Contempt.

5. Why does Machiavelli say that auxiliary forces are more dangerous than mercenaries?
(a) Auxilaries need less time and opportunity to move against the ruler that employed them.
(b) Mercenaries can all speak the language of the princedom.
(c) Auxiliary forces may be recalled if their home dominion is attacked.
(d) Auxiliary forces are not considered deserters if they run from war.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. How does Machiavelli justify his position that a prince is not duty bound to keep his word?

3. What does Machiavelli say is the problem with remaining neutral between two warring sides?

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

5. How does Machiavelli say a prince should keep the attention of the people?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss Machiavelli's discourse on flattery.

2. How does Machiavelli disagree with those who believe everything is controlled by God and Fortune.

3. Explain how Machiavelli sees Utopian ideas of principalities and republics.

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

5. Describe Machiavelli's position on fortresses.

6. Explain Machiavelli's views on rewards and punishments.

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

8. What is Machiavelli's position on neutrality? Explain.

9. Describe the two main reasons that a prince may be secure one day and lose his dominion the next.

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,119 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample