Machiavelli, The Prince, 40-85. Italian text.
Identify: Julius II, Fedinand of Aragon, barbarians (82)
1. Machiavelli writes: "cowardice is the danger with mercenaries, and valour with auxiliaries" (45). What is the significance of this comment?
2. According to Machiavelli, "the art of war is all that is expected of a ruler" (47). To what extent does this statement apply to the rest of The Prince?
3. What in Machiavelli's opinion should the relationship between ruler and ruled be?
4. In our textbook (Kishlansky et al, 354), we read: "Machiavelli was able to separate all ethical considerations from his analysis. Whether that resulted from cynicism or from his own expressed desire for realism, Machiavelli uncompromisingly instructed the would-be ruler to be half man and half beast--to conquer neighbors, to murder enemies, and to deceive friends." Do you agree with this interpretation of The Prince?
5. Do you believe that The Prince was the product of Renaissance humanism? Why or why not?
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