The Prince

This essay should be typed, double-spaced, in a 12-point font, and saved in .doc or .docx format. Use the following naming convention: HIST302_JaneSmith_Essay3.docx. The essay should be 6–7 total pages, including a title page with your name and the class number (HIST 302), a bibliography page, and an endnote page. Be sure to insert your name and a page number at the bottom of each page (for example, Dursteler-1, Dursteler-2). Expectations The books and other course materials you have read will be the basis for your work, and you should be certain to use and cite them in this essay. You will also be expected to do additional research. You must fully cite any sources that you reference in endnotes. Be sure that all the words and ideas in your paper are your own; any form of plagiarism, whether intentional or not, will result in a failing grade for the assignment and possibly for the entire course. The tone of your paper should be professional and formal. Avoid slang, contractions, and informal dialogue. Your audience is an average college-educated person, and your objective is to write a balanced but persuasive paper that makes your argument clearly and convincingly. While you may make references to your own beliefs, you should write in a way that will be understandable and compelling to people who have different views. Your essay will be graded on the quality of thought, organization, clarity of composition, and your ability to draw broadly on and apply the material you are studying as well as the quality of the additional reading and research you do for each essay. Note that you must complete all three essays in order to pass the class. Essay Topic Write your second essay on this prompt: Machiavelli’s The Prince is one of the great works of Renaissance Italian literature. In it, Machiavelli advises a prince on how he may have to act to preserve his power and to govern effectively. At the heart of his advice to the prince is a particular view of humanity and human nature. In this essay, briefly analyze the leadership principles that Machiavelli presents, primarily in Chapters 15–19, and derive from this a snapshot of his views on human nature. Does Machiavelli believe human nature is good, evil, foolish, or something else? After carefully identifying Machiavelli’s argument and his views on human nature, I would like you to critique his position; do you agree or disagree with Machiavelli, and why?