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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. Who does Machiavelli cite as an example of generosity that ended badly?

2. Machiavelli's political thought is influenced greatly by the ideas of what?

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

4. What does Machiavelli say are the two main reasons for a prince to lose his dominion?

5. How does Machiavelli define avarice?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Discuss Machiavelli's discourse on flattery.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay answering and discussing the question, Is honesty always the best policy?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on the subject of politicians trying to please everyone to stay in power.

(see the answer keys)

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