Niccolò Machiavelli "The Prince"

Question 1

The Middle Ages encountered sources primarily through what?

Answer 1

Florilegia (singular = Florilegium).

Question 2

What is a Florilegium? Why was it helpful?

Answer 2

• Flori: Flowery.
• Legi: Words.
  Verbal Bouquets: Books of quotations.

Instead of having everything that someone said, just have a list of their key points and takeaways/important and cited quotes.

Question 3

What is a Principality?

Answer 3

Royal figures ruling and they have complete power over their subjects.

Question 4

How does one become a good ruler?

Answer 4

He must start low in the common folk and rise up to the position, this way he may know both sides of the spectrum when he reaches the upper, royal life.

Question 5

What are the two different ways that one can acquire a Princedom?

Answer 5

1. Through blood.
2. Through force.

Question 6

What does Machiavelli say about inheriting a Princedom?

Answer 6

He says that there you shouldn’t make any large changes, as the common folk don’t want their lifestyles to change drastically. Any changes that do need to take place must be minor, not to be an inconvenience.

Question 7

How is a Prince to maintain a conquered Princedom?

Answer 7

He says to keep the city in check, making sure no possible small rebellions could arise and grow into something more severe. This way any real and immediate threats are eliminated and that those who don’t like him don’t have the power to do anything about it anyways.

Question 8

What does Machiavelli say about conquering a Princedom of similar customs/language?

Answer 8

1. The old royal bloodline must be destroyed to prevent a potential rise up in a legitamate ruler.
2. No change must be done to the laws and taxes/customs in order to keep the common folk at ease.

Question 9

What does Machiavelli say about conquering a Princedom of different customs/language?

Answer 9

The Prince should live in the land for some time to get to understand their country and people. Then, when he goes to take it over, the common folk will see him more as one of their own and may accept him. As for his other country/countries, the Princedoms should look to combine their customs and practices in an orderly way. It is also important that no one doubts his strength.

Question 10

What does Machiavelli say about war?

Answer 10

War is inevitable, and so in order to counter it and have the upper hand is to be the one to strike first.

Question 11

What does Machiavelli say about a Prince’s subjects?

Answer 11

As people who are selfish, they’ll always want more. For those who don’t support the Prince, they don’t have the firepower to rebel against him. But for those who do support him and helped him get to his position, they expect him to fulfill his promises to him. If he can’t fulfill them, they’ll turn on him. And even if he does, they’ll always want more.

Question 12

What were the five blunders that Louis XII made that Machiavelli mentions? What’s the sixth that made these other five disastrous for him?

Answer 12

1. He destroyed the weaker States.
2. He strengthened a Prince already strong.
3. He had brought into the country a very powerful stranger.
4. He had not come to reside.
5. He had not sent colonies.
6. He deprived the Venetians of their dominion.