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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. When Machiavelli writes, "For sometimes of necessity our judgment is the truth, as human affairs are always in motion, either ascending or descending," what is he writing about what he believes about truth?

2. In Book 1, Section 46, Machiavelli credits the ruin of Republics on citizens who jump from one ambition to another. What was the phrase that Sallust put in the mouth of Caesar that explains how such ambitions begin?

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

4. From what did Machiavelli develop the information that he wrote into "The Discourses"?

5. According to Machiavelli, how did the Agrarian Laws violate the foundation of well-ordered Republics?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What kind of Prince does Machiavelli consider to be weak?

3. What does Machiavelli recommend to be done if one wants to establish a Republic where it does not exist?

4. What acts by governing officials does Machiavelli consider "pernicious" or damaging to the authority of the government?

5. Why should a Prince measure his forces and govern by his decisions based upon them before he enters a war?

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

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

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

9. What does Machiavelli claim to be the practice of writers of history who, "...so obey the fortune of the winners...?"

10. Why does Machiavelli advise that a Prince "temporize" a perceived evil in his State?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Niccolo Machiavelli wrote during the Italian Renaissance. Identify two notable events or phenomena from the Italian Renaissance and relate content from "The Discourses" that either might have been a response to or a motivation for them.

Essay Topic 2

Machiavelli advises on dealing with evil challenging a State in Book 1, Sections 33. What does Machiavelli consider evil? Support what you find as his definition with statements from all of "The Discourses". Do you agree with his assessments? Why or why not? In your response give documented support from other political or moral thinkers.

Essay Topic 3

Machiavelli gives seemingly conflicting advice regarding changing governments in Book 1, Sections 25 and 26. Identify the differences between the two situations over which Machiavelli recommends changes and compare one example each that Machiavelli gives in the two chapters to changes in governments to two world events over the last 70 years.

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