Question

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. what meaning is emphasized by the use of the words merciful and mercy in the passage? machiavelli suggests that the cruel prince would like to be more merciful. machiavelli forces readers to carefully consider the meanings of the words merciful and mercy. machiavelli forces readers to decide whether executions and robberies are acceptable. machiavelli is giving both mercy and merciful a more negative connotation.

Explanation:

Machiavelli uses "merciful" and "mercy" in a context where too - much mercy leads to negative consequences (disorders, murders, robberies that harm the whole people). He contrasts this with a prince who is seen as cruel but whose actions (a few executions) are more "merciful" in the sense of protecting the whole. This gives these words a more complex, almost negative - tinged meaning in the context of governance.

Answer:

Machiavelli is giving both mercy and merciful a more negative connotation.