Question

Read this passage from chapter 5 of The Prince.

But when cities or countries are accustomed to live
under a prince, and his family is exterminated, they,
being on the one hand accustomed to obey and on the
other hand not having the old prince, cannot agree in
making one from amongst themselves, and they do not
know how to govern themselves. For this reason they
are very slow to take up arms, and a prince can gain
them to himself and secure them much more easily.
But in republics there is more vitality, greater hatred,
and more desire for vengeance, which will never permit
them to allow the memory of their former liberty to rest;
so that the safest way is to destroy them or to reside
there.

How does Machiavelli work to achieve his primary
purpose to convince readers that a prince must ruin a
conquered republic or live there? Select two options.
- He lists the types of territories a prince might
conquer.
-He describes the role of a ruling family in a
principality.
-He explains the roots of rebellion in conquered
republics.
-He identifies the characteristics of government in a
republic.
-He contrasts the characteristics of principalities and
republics.

Answer 1

Machiavelli works to achieve his primary purpose of convincing readers that a prince must ruin a conquered republic or live there by employing the following strategies:

1. **He explains the roots of rebellion in conquered republics.** In the passage, Machiavelli highlights the vitality, hatred, and desire for vengeance that exist within republics, which he argues make it unlikely for them to accept the loss of their former liberty. By emphasizing these factors, Machiavelli establishes the potential for ongoing rebellion and instability in conquered republics, which supports his argument that a prince should either destroy them or reside there.

2. **He contrasts the characteristics of principalities and republics.** Throughout the passage, Machiavelli draws a distinction between cities or countries that are accustomed to living under a prince and those that are republics. He argues that when a prince's family is exterminated in the former, there is a greater lack of unity and ability to govern themselves compared to the latter. By emphasizing the differences between principalities and republics, Machiavelli lays the foundation for his argument that destroying a republic or residing there is the safest course of action for a prince.

While the other options listed touch on various aspects of Machiavelli's argument, they are not as directly related to his primary purpose of convincing readers that a prince should ruin a conquered republic or live there.

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