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Assignment: Read the book listed below and answer the questions that follow:

Originally written to deal with the issue of power and governance in Renaissance Italy, The Prince has become one of the definitive works on politics. You may purchase a copy of the book at almost any bookstore, or at www.amazon.com. If you would prefer not to buy the book, you may find the complete text at http://www.constitution.org/mac/prince00.htm

Please avoid using Cliff’s Notes, Sparknotes or Internet Summaries. A Test/Quiz will be given during the first week of class, covering major themes, topics and details from The Prince.

Answer the following questions, incorporating specific quotations from the text to support your answer.

Of the Qualities for Which Men, and Most of all Princes, are Praised and Blamed
1. Which qualities does Machiavelli say leaders will reap praise? Blame?
a. Praise:
b. Blame:
2. Which kind of qualities does Machiavelli recommend rulers to follow?

Of Liberality and Miserliness
3. Why does Machiavelli consider liberality dangerous?
4. When does Machiavelli say that rulers should be liberal in their expenditures? When should they be miserly?
5. Is it wiser to be viewed as liberal or miserly?

Of Cruelty and Clemency, and Whether it is Better to be Loved or Feared
6. What is the danger in being loved?
7. Is it safer to be feared, or to be loved? Why?

How Princes Should Keep Faith
8. What is the significance of the metaphor of the lion and the fox?
9. Why do leaders need to keep a balance between fox and lion?
10. Which of the 5 virtues does Machiavelli feel is the most important to appear to possess? Why do you think he claims that is the most important?

How A Prince Should Conduct Himself As To Gain Renown
11. Discuss the different ways in which Princes can gain fame. Which of these does Machiavelli feel is most effective?

Concerning The Secretaries Of Princes
12. What is the best way to ensure the loyalty of a servant?

How Flatterers Should Be Avoided
13. What is the danger of flattery?
14. How should a prince go about avoiding flattery?

Analysis:
15. Select a European leader from 1450 to the present who best represents the qualities of a Machiavellian ruler. Write a five paragraph essay defending your choice. You should focus on at least three characteristics of a good leader as defined by Machiavelli in The Prince.

Due Date: The First Week of Class!!!

[1] This assignment was adapted from a similar assignment developed by Mr. Edward Frankenbush of the Burbank Unified School District and is used with permission.

The WSHS Library is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 3:30 beginning July 30.

The loan period is 3 weeks, no renewals, with overdue fines of $1 per non-holiday weekday. All Library obligations must be cleared prior to checkout.

Questions or to check on availability: (703) 913-3852 or stephanie.byrnes@fcps.edu

The Borders on Frontier Drive in Springfield has a special table of WSHS summer reading books.