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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 does Machiavelli suggest is wrong with concepts of an ideal princedom or republic.

2. What does Machiavelli see as an insurmountable chasm?

3. Why does Machiavelli say that the sultans of Turkey and Egypt had to listen more to the military than to the people?

4. Why should a prince declare himself as for or against two warring factions?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Machiavelli favored the death penalty. Write an essay expressing your opinion on that subject.

Essay Topic 2

Write a story about how you imagine Prince Lorenzo de Medici reacted to THE PRINCE.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on your feelings about Machiavelli's trying to get in with the family that overthrew his government and put him out of a job.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,183 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample