Question

section 2: two renaissance men - machiavelli, & michaelangelo
niccolo machiavelli was a philosopher, politician, poet, and playwright. he was born in florence, the heart of the italian renaissance. he lived during a time of political unrest. as a diplomat he held several positions including clerk, ambassador, and council member and was tortured and held captive for his involvement in politics. upon retirement, he began to write treatises exploring political philosophy.
a treatise is a formal, lengthy discourse on a subject. machiavellis most famous treatise, the prince is a practical guide for ruling. it contains a formal dedication to lorenzo de medici, the ruler of florence. it contains simple, logical prose and practical advice on a variety of matters for those rulers maintaining autocratic regimes, a form of government in which the political power is held by a single, self - appointed ruler.
machiavellis portrayal is consistent with a cynical view of lofty ambitions. he lauds necessary evils and implies that the end justifies the means. examine the following excerpts which demonstrate a logic lacking any ethical considerations.
from the prince by machiavelli
at this point one may note that men must be either pampered or annihilated. they avenge light offenses; they cannot avenge severe ones; hence, the harm one does to a man must be such as to obviate any fear of revenge.
people are by nature changeable. it is easy to persuade them about some particular matter but it is hard to hold them to that persuasion. hence it is necessary to provide that when they no longer believe, they can be forced to believe.
a prince must have no other objective, no other thought, nor take up any profession but that of war, its methods and its discipline, for that is the only art expected of a ruler. and it is of such great value that it not only keeps hereditary princes in power, but often raises men from a lowly condition to that rank.

1. what is a treatise?
2. what strategies does machiavelli recommend to a ruler in the passages above?

Explanation:

1. The text clearly states that a treatise is a formal, lengthy discourse on a subject.
2. Machiavelli recommends rulers either pamper or annihilate men to avoid revenge, use force to keep people believing in a persuasion, and focus solely on the art of war.

Answer:

1. A formal, lengthy discourse on a subject.
2. Either pamper or annihilate men to avoid revenge; use force when people no longer believe a persuasion; focus solely on the art of war.