The Prince
Niccolo Machiavelli
Study Guide
These study guides of for assistance in student understanding of the reading. These are not collected for points and may not be discussed in class. These are solely for use to further comprehension of the reading material.
Chapters 1-11
1. Why is a hereditary princedom easier to maintain that a new princedom?
2. What qualities of a republic make it difficult to hold?
3. For what reasons is rebellion common in mixed princedoms? What steps can a new prince take to maintain order?
4. In what sense is an ecclesiastical princedom the easiest to maintain but the most difficult to obtain?
5. The following are four axioms or rules for governing princedoms presented so far. Give an historic and a contemporary example of each:
a. “He who is the cause of another’s greatness is himself undone.”
b. “The wise man should always follow the roads that have been trodden by the great, and imitate those who have most excelled.”
c. “Injuries, therefore, should be inflicted all at once, that their ill savour being less lasting may the less offend; whereas, benefits should be conferred little by little, that so they may be more fully relished.”
d. “It ought not to be difficult for a prudent prince…to maintain the spirits of his subjects during a siege; provided always that victuals and other means of defense do not run short.”
6. How does fortune contribute to a prince’s greatness?
Chapters 12-14
1. What is the difference between an auxiliary army, mercenaries and national arms?
2. Why is a mixed army better than one comprised of mercenaries, but not as good as a national army?
3. List the qualities a prince must develop within himself to become a “master of the art of war.”
4. What do you think Machiavelli is trying to persuade Lorenzo de Medici to do as ruler of Italy?
Chapters 15-23
1. For what reasons must a prince learn to “use or not use his goodness as necessity requires?”
2. Why does Machiavelli believe that a prince who is miserly is better loved by his people than one who is liberal?
3. When is it acceptable for a prince to take the property of others? How can he avoid being hated but still be feared by his people?
4. What is a prince’s best defense against assassination by his subjects?
5. When is a fortress useful for a prince? What is his greatest fortress against the aggression of a foreign power?
6. Why is it important for a prince to be decisive and take sides in a conflict? What advice does Machiavelli offer him when selected his allies?
7. Define a “good minister” according to Machiavelli.
8. Why is it ironic that Machiavelli advises a new prince to avoid surrounding himself by men who flatter him?
Chapters 24-26
1. How can a prince use his “free will” to protect himself against bad fortune?
2. Why do you think Machiavelli is encouraging a prince to be bold and decisive?
3. How does Chapter 26 differ from the other chapters in tone, coldness, objectivity, purpose and usefulness?
4. Do you think Machiavelli is more interested, at the end of The Prince, in helping himself, helping Italy or helping Lorenzo de Medici?