Unit 1 Essay: Machiavelli and More
(Thanks to Judy Mendlesund for this assignment)

3-5 pages single-spaced or 6-10 pages double-spaced

You are the author of a manuscript entitled "Further Conversations of Raphael Nonsenso "and in it you recount a dialogue you observed (as did More in Utopia) between Raphael and an Italian merchant prince, a disciple of The Prince who has become the despot of a major Italian state.

Raphael and the Prince, as Raphael calls him, meet in Antwerp. Raphael is trying to negotiate a trade agreement for the Utopians and the Prince is hoping to arrange an important military alliance. Over dinner at Peter Gilles' house, they (and you) discuss such topics as the essence of human nature, the character and authority of the state, the relevance of virtue to power, the proper conduct of government (including the role of royal councilors). Both men make references to their own historical contexts and, of course, to Utopia and to The Prince Although they argue vehemently, they do they find some common ground. They are both Renaissance men, after all. Perhaps there is more realism in the utopian and more idealism in the realist than you had realized.

Permit each character to explore each issue in depth, rather than engaging in excessive back and forth, but allow them to respond to each other as well. Your character can also join in, but you must establish who he/she is as well. You are encouraged to make direct textual references to both Utopia and The Prince.