View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What was the inspiration for Machiavelli's "The Discourses"?

2. What does Machiavelli suggest causes corruption?

3. What are the five types of government identified by Machiavelli?

4. According to Machiavelli, how did the Nobles of Rome attempt to correct the limit on the wealth that was placed on them by Agrarian Laws?

5. How does Machiavelli suggest that a man with power should present himself to a city in turmoil?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Machiavelli explain that a City grows either through love or through force?

2. To what is Machiavelli referring when he writes of men jumping, "...from one ambition to another?"

3. Why were the Plebe candidates not suited for the open positions of the Tribunes?

4. What examples from history does Machiavelli claim offers guidance to leaders?

5. What does Machiavelli mean when he uses the term "virtu" for a Prince?

6. What does Machiavelli consider to be the worst example that can be committed in a Republic?

7. Why does Machiavelli recommend to leaders of a Republic to keep a shadow of the institutions that are being reformed?

8. What does Machiavelli claim proves the Romans' love for liberty?

9. Why does Machiavelli report that the Roman Senate decided to pay a public stipend to the soldiers in the army?

10. From what did Niccolo Machiavelli make the present that he sent to Zanobi Buondelmonti and Cosimo Rucellai?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Machiavelli is critical of ambition in Book 1, Section 46. Do you agree with Machiavelli's criticisms? Why or why not? What is your view of ambition and how does individual freedom affect ambition?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Machiavelli's favored tactic of forming military divisions for the purpose of absorbing an enemy's initial thrust to the tactic that is known as "Blitzkrieg". Using the American occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan as modern examples of how both are used, as well as the history of Rome and the regime that depended on "Blitzkrieg", give your views on which tactic is more successful.

Essay Topic 3

In Book 1, Sections 21-23 Machiavelli begins a repeated focus on the role of the military in maintaining a Free Republic by focusing on making sound decisions on the cost of a military to a Republic. Identify quotes from Machiavelli that detail Machiavelli's advice on the use of resources on the military, whether or not his advice is being followed today, and what you consider to be the consequences of the current decisions regarding the modern costs of the military.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 964 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample