Probably the chief ethical issue raised by

The Prince is the question of whether the desire ends justify the means used to achieve them. Write essay an in which you take a stand on this question. Begin by defining the issue: What does the concept "the ends justify the means" actually mean? What difficulties may arise when unworthy means are used to achieve worthy ends? Analyze Machiavelli's references to circumstances in which questionable means were (or should have been) used to achieve worthy ends.

Support your position by providing reasons and specific examples from the text as well as from your own experiences, observations, or reading.