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

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

3. What is the first test of a new prince as a judge?
(a) Firing his military leaders and putting them into prison.
(b) The amount of public aid he offers the people.
(c) The number of executions he orders at the beginning of his reign.
(d) The wisdom and ability of the ministers he chooses to help him.

4. When does Machiavelli say a prince should be thinking most about military strategy?
(a) When he is being invaded.
(b) On hunting expeditions.
(c) During times of peace.
(d) When he visits another prince.

5. What is the advantage of being miserly?
(a) The prince can go count his money when he cannot sleep.
(b) The people will not work harder to receive the prince's generosity.
(c) Waging was is possible without having to tax the people heavily.
(d) Everything eventually belongs to the prince.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. How does Machiavelli classify auxiliary troops?

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

5. Who does Machiavelli assign blame to when a prince loses his dominion?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Explain Machiavelli's famous statement that is is better to be feared than loved.

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

6. What is Machiavelli's advice regarding unasked for counsel?

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

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,181 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample