Analyzing Ideas, Structure, and Purpose in Machiavelli’s The Prince — Unit test
Question 15 • * FL-1001315-English 1 Sem 2 CR
Read the passage from chapter 17 of The Prince.Therefore a prince, so long as he keeps his subjects united and loyal, ought not to mind the reproach of cruelty; because with a few examples he will be more merciful than those who, through too much mercy, allow disorders to arise, from which follow murders or robberies; for these are wont to injure the whole people, whilst those executions which originate with a prince offend the individual only.
Answer
A
Machiavelli suggests that the cruel prince would like to be more merciful.
B
Machiavelli forces readers to carefully consider the meanings of the words merciful and mercy.
C
Machiavelli forces readers to decide whether executions and robberies are acceptable.
D
Machiavelli is giving both mercy and merciful a more negative connotation.