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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What, according to Machiavelli, is better than actually having all the good qualities of leadership?

2. Who does Machiavelli single out as a prince who was always prepared for war?

3. When rule by law is ineffective, what does Machiavelli advise the prince to use?

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

5. How much of man's fate does Machiavelli ascribe to God and Fortune?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Machiavelli evaluate the three types of mind he says princes may have?

3. Discuss Machiavelli's discourse on flattery.

4. How does Machiavelli say a prince should be like a fox and a lion?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay describing the Italian Renaissance.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on why you would or would not have liked living during the Italian Renaissance.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about why you think many people have not liked Machiavelli's book, THE PRINCE.

(see the answer keys)

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