Friday, April 25, 2008

Questions: Presenter #1 takes questions 1 and 2; presenter #2 takes questions 3 and 4. For homework, members of the class can write on either the first two or the second two.

1. What seems to be Machiavelli's concept of religion? How does he seem to regard the Christian faith? What is his opinion of the church?

2. What does Machiavelli mean when he speaks of corruption, and how does a people become corrupt? What does this analysis show about his valuation of a prince vs. a republic?

3. What do you make of Machiavelli's advice to delay dealing with a problem (Chapter XXXIII)? Does this seem to contradict other advice he gives in the Prince as well as the Discourses? Do you agree or disagree with his analysis in this chapter?

4. At the beginning of Chapter XXXIX, Machiavelli writes, "Anyone who studies present and ancient affairs will easily see how in all cities and all peoples there still exist, and have always existed, the same desires and passions." Given what you have read of Machiavelli, as well as your own experience, do you agree or disagree?

Laurel Carrington carringt@stolaf.edu
Most recent update: January 24, 2008

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