Advice for a Young Renaissance Prince - Machiavelli

This rich task puts students in the role of political advisers to a Renaissance prince. It invites them to consider different ways that rulers might exercise and consolidate power, in the tradition of the Italian Renaissance political philosopher Machiavelli.

The handout provides a brief, imaginative, realistic context to help students assume their role and to understand some of the factors they need to consider.

I like to arrange chairs around the room like a council chamber, with myself or a student as the prince. Students can undertake a written response before or after the role-play.

I add context using a slideshow of images from 'my palace' (the Palazzo Uffizi in Florence).