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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. How can honesty in other people cause the prince to lose respect?

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

3. How will a prince often be judged by others?

4. Who is Machiavelli's ultimate example of the correct use of cruelty?

5. How does Machiavelli define auxiliary forces?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Machiavelli's position on fortresses.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Using the example of Cesare Borgia, write an essay entitled ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on the Medici family returning to power and what it meant to Machiavelli.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 979 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample