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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 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) Vices can be balanced out by the amount of fear they generate.
(c) Goodness will preserve his princedom while vices will bring his downfall.
(d) People see goodness as weakness and vices as strengths.

2. What does Machiavelli mean when he says "impetuousness is better than calculation"?
(a) Young men are too cautious to be successful.
(b) Fortune admits more readily to boldness than to calculation.
(c) Old men are usually more daring and agressive in their actions.
(d) Calculation enables one to do innovative things.

3. Who does Machiavelli cite as an example of generosity that ended badly?
(a) Moses.
(b) Julius Caesar.
(c) Alexander the Great.
(d) Marc Anthony.

4. How much of man's fate does Machiavelli ascribe to God and Fortune?
(a) A little less than half.
(b) Almost all.
(c) Everything.
(d) None at all.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. A prince who has acquired a new dominion added to his own should disarm the conquered people. Why?

2. What does the wise prince do to maintain the loyalty of the people?

3. What is a constant threat to any prince?

4. What is Machiavelli's advice about people who do things that ultimately enrich the princedom?

5. How does Machiavelli say a private citizen might make himself a prince?

Short Essay Questions

1. Outline Machiavelli's position of honesty in a prince.

2. Because new princes are closely watched, what does Machiavelli say they must do?

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

4. Give examples of leaders who recognized the need for their own loyal troops.

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

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

7. Discuss Machiavelli's discourse on flattery.

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

9. What warnings does Machiavelli give regarding the generosity of a prince.

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

(see the answer keys)

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