Discuss what you consider to be the main characteristics of the movement called the Renaissance in your textbook.  How is the Northern Renaissance different?  Who would you consider to be a key figure in the Renaissance of the north?  How are Machiavelli and his work The Prince illustrative of the key ideas of the Renaissance?  Be sure to discuss the ideas found in The Prince.  Why were these ideas controversial at the time and do you think they are still controversial today? What are the characteristics of a good prince?  And certainly there should be a discussion of whether it is better to be loved or feared.  What are the best kinds of governments according to Machiavelli? (Be careful to avoid the sin of presentism – I’ll explain what that is as soon as someone commits the sin.)

Focus mostly on a careful reading of The Prince in your discussion posts.