Regarding Machiavelli we will want to ask how modern is he? Many have viewed The Prince as marking the beginnings of modern political science and the emergence of realist politics. Others see him as simply immoral. Contrary to this some see Machiavelli as more rooted in Republican traditions of rhetoric. What is new and what is traditional in Machiavelli? Keep in mind the types of historical examples that he uses (from where does he take his examples and why). Also in your answers try to explain why you think what you do—link your answers to his text. For Machiavelli’s Prince, please read the introduction by Grafton, the Letter to Lorenzo, Chapters 1, 5, 7, 12 and 15 to the end (esp 15-19, 24-26). But try to read it all. Among other questions you can think about the following: Some specific questions: 1. In what ways is The Prince the work of a humanist, according to the Renaissance definition (as discussed in the text by Beat Kümin and the week’s Lesson)? Provide at least one specific example from The Prince to support your claim. 2. What was new and disturbing to many about the advice given in The Prince? See especially chapters XV to XIX. 3. What does Machiavelli mean by virtue? By fortune? How are these two concepts related? Try to support your discussion with examples from the text. See especially chapter XXV 4. Drawing specifically on the text and on your own answers above, what are the implications of these ideas for an understanding of the problem of being human? (This is somewhat philosophical but try to be brief and specific and support your claims with examples from the text). You can access sparknotes or other summaries for the letter to Lorenzo online.
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