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Reading
Questions and Notes for Machiavelli’s The Prince
What to read:
This is a relatively short text, so it is possible to read all of it. However,
barring that, these are the sections that you should read: Chapters 8, 14-19, 21
and 25. If you do not own a copy, or do not want to purchase one, then you can
find the text online at:
http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/texts/prince/prince_contents.html and
at many others sites as well.
A few comments:
There are some ways in which Machiavelli is clearly a part of the “humanist”
movement in Italy. At the very least he displays both the humanistic
understanding of history and its importance, and the love of classical
literature. However, we should take very seriously the question of whether The
Prince is truly a humanistic work. So, one of the questions you should keep
in mind as you read this text, is whether you see clear contrasts with the main
trends of Renaissance humanism and/or similarities. It is important to remember
that Machiavelli is not writing satire here –he is perfectly serious about
what he says.
Questions:
- Keep
in the mind the placement of Machiavelli within the humanist movement. How
does what he says contrast with the vision of human life put forward by More
in Utopia or Castiglione in The Courtier?
- Of
course, as you are reading this text you should learn the basic content:
-
what
is Machiavelli’s thesis over-all?
-
what
there the specific theses of the chapters?
-
how
does Machiavelli argue for these theses?
-
how
solid or convincing are these arguments?
- Consider
carefully Machiavelli’s approach to the “virtues” (generosity,
honesty, etc.). Is he simply saying that rulers cannot be virtuous? Or, is
he trying to suggest that these virtues mean something else for rulers? In
other words, for what can rulers properly be blamed or praised? What is the
purpose of rulership?
- Consider
carefully Machiavelli’s method –specifically his use of historical
examples. What does this suggest about his approach to political questions?
What do you think of his use of history?
- Try
to describe, if you think it is possible, the basic characteristics of an
“ideal” ruler for Machiavelli.
Author: Thomas Bowen
Oakton community College
Updated: January 18, 2007
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