84 pages 2 hours read

Niccolò Machiavelli

The Discourses

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1531

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.

Essay Topics

1.

What essential person, according to Machiavelli, is needed to form a republic? What must that person do to protect the republic as it ages?

2.

The first Brutus helps to found the Roman Republic by overthrowing the old ruler and administering an oath to the people. Whom did he overthrow, what did the oath promise, and why is such an oath vital to the founding of the Republic?

3.

Machiavelli says there are six forms of government, three bad and three good. The bad are tyranny, oligarchy (“government of the few”) and anarchy. Briefly name and define the corresponding three good forms of government.

Related Titles

By Niccolò Machiavelli

Study Guide

logo

The Prince

Niccolò Machiavelli

The Prince

Niccolò Machiavelli