Practicing with “The Prince” by Niccolo Machiavelli Document Analysis Practicing with “The Prince” by Niccolo Machiavelli

Components of Document Analysis Background Knowledge: Introduce the Author Relevant background of the Time Period Describe the philosophy of the Author Identify the thesis of the document How is the Thesis supported? Provide quotes from the document Explain how the quote proves the thesis Components of Document Analysis

Write-Up layout Introduction, Body and Conclusion (3 parts) Main question to answer throughout: “What is the significance of this document to our understanding of Western History” Write-Up layout

Identify the Thesis and find Quotes to Prove (at least 3) Practice… Identify the Thesis and find Quotes to Prove (at least 3)

Thesis statement: It is better for a leader to be hated rather than loved, if he cannot be both (stated in document clearly… “…is it better to be loved than feared, or vice versa? I don’t doubt that every prince would like to be both; but since it is hard to accommodate these qualities, if you have to make a choice, to be feared is much safer than to be loved. “ THESIS

Supporting Quotation #1 “Thus, no prince should mind being called cruel for what he does to keep his subjects united and loyal” (Sometimes cruelty is necessary to maintain a functional and orderly state) Supporting Quotation #1

Supporting Quotation #2 “For it is a good general rule about men, that they are ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers, fearful of danger and greedy for gain. While you serve their welfare, they are all yours, as we noted above – so long as the danger is remote. But when the danger is close at hand, they turn against you.” (“Rotten” human beings don’t think twice about betraying a leader they love, but betraying a leader they fear comes with dread of punishment) Supporting Quotation #2

Supporting Quotation #3 “Still, a prince should make himself feared in a way that, even if he gets no love, he gets no hate either; because it is perfectly possible to be feared and not hated” (possible to be feared and not hated, leaders must follow some moral code- leave citizens property alone, no unnecessary bloodshed, women) Supporting Quotation #3

Supporting Quotation #4 “But the prince at the head of his armies and commanding a multitude of soldiers should care not a bit if he is considered cruel; without such a reputation, he could never hold his army together and ready for action.” (Only a cruel leader can inspire men to fight and keep the army together) Supporting Quotation #4

Influenced: Napoleon, Hitler, Mussolini (inspired great leaders) Context: Major upheaval in Italy, Threat from France (collapse of republics, newly developed city states) Intended Audience: Anyone who can reinstate his position in the court (ex: Medici’s) Influence: Cesare Borgia: Italian general who almost united Italian city states Hannibal: Military commander in Carthage (during Roman times, Punic Wars) Influenced: Napoleon, Hitler, Mussolini (inspired great leaders) First Political Scientist