The Discourses Quiz

Take our free The Discourses quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. Take the free quiz now!

Who were the two Roman Consuls whose tactics Machiavelli compares as an example of how Princes can take what belongs to another? (from Book Three, The Example of Rome's Great Men, Salus Populi, Suprema Lex, Further Reflections Based on the Samnite Wars, The Preservation of Freedom in a Republic)

Claudius and Brutus.

Fabius and Junius.

Decius and Octavius.

Decius and Fabius.

Through what means does Machiavelli suggest that a City can achieve what he considers greatness? (from Book Two, The Growth of Rome's Empire, Preface, Methods of Expansion, Colonization and War: Its Causes and Cost, Diplomacy and War)

Through love or force.

Through conquest and deceit.

Through fear and violence.

Through laws and wealth.

According to Machiavelli, what prevented the ambitions of the Nobles from corrupting Rome? (from Book Three, The Examples of Rome's Great Men, Sundry Remarks on Strategy, Tactics, New Devices and Discipline, Administrative Posts, Administrative Methods: The Rival Claims of Severity and Good Fellowship)

Social ostracism by the Senate.

Wars drained their wealth.

The power of the Tribunes and the Plebes.

The expanded Empire required that they move to colonies to lead them.

What opportunities come to Princes who take Machiavelli's advice in acting to take something from another Prince. (from Book Three, The Example of Rome's Great Men, Salus Populi, Suprema Lex, Further Reflections Based on the Samnite Wars, The Preservation of Freedom in a Republic)

The Prince who is being assaulted might make decisions fueled by anger.

The Prince who is being assaulted will be imprisoned.

The Prince who is being assaulted will have their army away from the City.

The Prince who is being assualted will not be able to consult his Captains.

How does Machiavelli suggest that a man with power should present himself to a city in turmoil? (from Book One, The Development of Rome's Constitution, The Popular Demand for a Share in Government, The Management of the Populace, The Advantages of Popular Government)

"The man of power should present himself with cold ruthlessness and avoid any show of sentimentality."

"Beauty is power; a smile is its sword."

"Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness."

"...(W)ith as much grace and as honorably as he can, attiring himself with the insignia of his rank which he holds in order to make himself more revered."