Writing Assignment for Machiavelli’s The Prince
Anita PillingAP European History
Renaissance humanists consciously revived classical literary forms by imitating those forms when writing themselves. Three popular forms were the panegyric, dialogue, and epistle. Examine these forms by studying excerpts from the following:
Study form and substance. Your assignment is to write either a panegyric praising Machiavelli’s political acumen or a dialogue between Machiavelli and a detractor or an epistle in which you evaluate Machiavelli’s The Prince. The epistle should be written to a Western ruler, a Northern humanist, or Machiavelli. Your written work will be evaluated on form and substance, but primarily substance. You must demonstrate your in-depth understanding of Machiavelli's The Prince. Use at least two classical allusions. Notice how letter writers addressed the people they wrote.
Of course, classical Latin was also imitated as they attempted to prune away medieval Latinisms. This assignment will not be written in pure classical Latin, nor even in corrupt medieval Latin. Clear, concise English is expected.
The following books will be on reserve in the library for your use:
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