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. To what does Machiavelli compare great kingdoms and republics from history?

2. What advice does Machiavelli offer in Book 1, Section 52 to those who want to pursue their ambitions?

3. How does Machiavelli expect a city can keep its freedom after a weak Prince follows an excellent Prince?

4. What does Machiavelli identify as the easiest way to "...ruin a Republic where the People have authority...."

5. According to Machiavelli in Section 1 of Book One, who are the two types of people who build cities?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Machiavelli challenge Cities to punish citizens with respected reputations when they commit wrong acts?

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

5. What are the two reasons that Machiavelli gives for his opinion that the courts (Faculty of Accusing) are the most necessary and useful authority to guard liberty in a City?

6. Why does Machiavelli believe that people who break away from the rule of a Prince have difficulty keeping their freedom?

7. What kind of Prince does Machiavelli consider to be Excellent?

8. What does Machiavelli mean when he advises that evil in a State be "temporized"?

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

10. Why does Machiavelli disagree with Plutarch's claim that Rome acquired its Empire more by good Fortune than by Virtu?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Book 1, Sections 45, Machiavelli warns of the harm that comes from law makers not following the laws they make. What is the support that Machiavelli gives for his position? Do you agree with his position? Why or why not? Is his warning being followed today by American Government? What have been the consequences politically, economically, and socially? Document your support.

Essay Topic 2

Machiavelli claims that the Roman Caesars did good and not harm to the Roman Republic. Why did Machiavelli make his claim? Do you agree with his assessment? Use information from research on the authority of the Roman Caesars and other statements from history to support your views.

Essay Topic 3

In Book 3, Sections 31 and 33, Machiavelli examines the type of individual character that contributes to strong Republics and military victory. What is your view on the Machiavelli's principles regarding consistent character through favorable times and bad? On what points do you agree with the character qualities he calls "virtu" and those which he criticizes? What character qualities would you add or replace with what he calls "virtu"? Why would you make such changes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,059 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample