Subject to Authority Unit Exam: Hamlet, The Prince, and Civil Disobedience
Exam Dates: Wednesday-Thursday, Feb. 29-Mar. 1.
This exam will be a two-day affair. Day one will consist of one essay over either The Prince, Civil
Disobedience, or Hamlet. Day two will focus on a synthesis of all three texts. You are to pare this
list down to two questions per day (4 total) that you will prepare. You need to submit your
questions to me by Monday, Feb. 27. I will then give you one question, chosen from your two,
each day. For each day you may bring in one (1) 3x5 index cards with notes/outlines you think
helpful.
Subject to Authority Exam Day 1
1. Discuss Machiavelli’s views regarding free will. To what extent can historical events be
shaped by individuals, and to what extent are such events the consequence of fortune and
circumstance? Give examples to illustrate your reading.
2. Hamlet is a play about questions. Identify the two or three most important questions the
play raises, and discuss them. Why are such questions important? What does the play say in
response to these questions? Give examples to demonstrate Hamlet’s relevance today.
3. Thoreau believes that people should not participate in injustice but that they do not have
to actively promote a more just world. What is the difference between these two
concepts, and why does Thoreau make this moral distinction? Evaluate his position,
providing examples.
4. Thoreau asks rhetorically, "Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree,
resign his conscience to the legislator?" How would you answer this question? Is
compromise on moral issues a necessary part of living with other people?
Subject to Authority Exam Day 2
1. Discuss Machiavelli’s qualities for a successful Prince. How do both Hamlet and Claudius
meet or fall short of these qualities? Which one would make the better Prince? Be sure to
consider the theme of “appearances and reality” in both texts, citing specific examples.
2. Discuss Machiavelli on the relationship between Fortune/Providence and human
action/free will. Compare and contrast this with Hamlet’s attitude concerning the
complexity of action and Divine Providence in the play. Cite at least three concrete
examples from the play to support your argument.
3. Compare and contrast Hamlet and Thoreau on the issue of conscience. What role does
conscience play in forming human action?
4. You may create your own essay question. The only requirements are that 1) you do not
simply re-hash a previous; and 2) you discuss at least 2 of our three texts on your chosen
topic.