Question

read this passage from chapter 5 of the prince. but when cities or countries are accustomed to live under a prince, and his family is exterminated, they, being on the one hand accustomed to obey and on the other hand not having the old prince, cannot agree in making one from amongst themselves, and they do not know how to govern themselves. for this reason they are very slow to take up arms, and a prince can gain them to himself and secure them much more easily. but in republics there is more vitality, greater hatred, and more desire for vengeance, which will never permit them to allow the memory of their former liberty to rest; so that the safest way is to destroy them or to reside there. what is machiavellis primary purpose in writing this passage? to inform readers about the differences between principalities and republics to entertain readers with exciting stories of historical wars, conquests, and rebellions to convince readers that, to hold a conquered republic, a prince must ruin it or live there to persuade readers that a prince must eradicate the royal family of a conquered principality

Explanation:

The passage contrasts how cities/countries accustomed to a prince react when the prince's family is exterminated with how republics react to conquest. It concludes that to hold a conquered republic, a prince must either destroy it or reside there, which is the main argument presented.

Answer:

C. to convince readers that, to hold a conquered republic, a prince must ruin it or live there