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Summer Assignment Part 1:

Niccolo Machiavelli

 

Before you begin the 1st part of your summer assignment, you should familiarize yourself with Niccolo Machiavelli and his world. Click on the picture above to go to a wonderful Niccolo Machiavelli site where you can find out almost anything about Machiavelli, his life and his works. Your assignment, after you have spent some time becoming familiar with Machiavelli, is to read Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince. If you would like to read the text on-line instead of purchasing or checking out the book, click on the picture below to go to a full on-line version of The Prince. As you read the text, look for themes which are present throughout the text. I encourage you to take notes as you read. After you finish reading, go to the Machiavelli questions below the picture.

 

MACHIAVELLI QUESTIONS:

1. Why did Machiavelli write The Prince?

2. Name three recurring themes in The Prince.

3. Describe the role of armies according to Machiavelli.

4. Why does Machiavelli say that it is better for a prince "to be both loved and feared?" Is it possible for a prince to be both? Explain.

5. In Chapter 20, what three bits of advice does Machiavelli give the prince?

6. According to Machiavelli in Chapter 21, what must a prince do to be esteemed?

7. List and describe ten characteristics of a Machiavellian ruler.

8. As you perceive it, describe what a state might be like under a Machiavellian ruler.

Summer Assignment Part 2:

Sir Thomas More

 

Before you begin the 2nd part of your summer assignment, you should familiarize yourself with Sir Thomas More and his world. Click on the picture above to go to a wonderful Sir Thomas More site where you can find out almost anything about More, his life and his works. Your assignment, after you have spent some time becoming familiar with More, is to read Sir Thomas More's Utopia. If you would like to read Utopia on-line, click the picture below. As you read the text, look for themes which are present throughout the text. I encourage you to take notes as you read. After you finish reading the text, click on the link at the bottom of the page to go to the More questions.

 ABOVE: A picture of More's Utopia.

MORE QUESTIONS:

1. Describe the geography of Utopia. What role does geography play in the way Utopian society developed?

2. Describe the economy of Utopia.

3. Define the following terms by consulting a dictionary: capitalism, socialism, communism. Based upon the definitions of these terms, what elements of each are present in Utopia?

4. Choose any five of the following topics and describe their role in Utopia: cities, community life, economy, education, artisans, agriculture, philosophy, religion, law, foreign relations, slavery.

5. What does Utopia tell us about More's views of humans and humanity?

6. Would it be possible to establish a community like Utopia? Why or why not?

Summer Assignment Part 3:

Now that you have answered all of the above questions, answer the final question in a 500 word essay. Be sure to use examples from the texts to support your answer.

FINAL QUESTION:

**Contrast a state under a Machiavellian ruler with a state organized like Utopia.**