the first part reading response for these works.
- Petrarch, Sonnet #1 — Lines 1-3 and 9-11. Sonnet #189 — Lines 1-3.
- Machiavelli, The Prince — “For there is such difference […] and well-being.” (1632); “I think it may be true that Fortune is arbiter of half of our actions, but that she still leaves the control of the other half, or about that to us.” (1633)
- Montaigne, “If I had written to seek the world’s favor, […] to spend your leisure on so frivolous and vain a subject.” (1650-1651); “This man I had was a simple […] to see me. (1653); “I think there is more barbarity in eating a man alive […] that in roasting and eating him after he is dead.” (1656); “In view of this, […] would meddle with it.” (1665).
- Shakespeare, Hamlet — Act One, Scene Two, Lines 129-160; Act One, Scene Three, Lines 57-83; Act One, Scene 5, Lines 34-39; Act Three, Scene Three, Lines 98-99; Act Four, Scene 4, Lines 47-66; Act Four, Scene 7, Lines 175-181; Act Five, Scene 1, Lines 160-169.
The second part will be a thoughtful response of at least 350-500 words to one of the following questions. Answers should indicate not only knowledge of the material covered in class but should also show some independent interpretation as well.
Machiavelli offers advice about acquiring and maintaining power in the Early Modern world. In your response, discuss two pieces of Machiavellian advice that you think modern leaders (in business, education, medicine, government) should follow and explain what the value of such advice is.