Exploring the Text

1. How does Alexander Hamilton establish the gravity of the situation he addresses in the first paragraph?

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   Exploring the Text: - How does Alexander Hamilton establish the gravity of the situation he addresses in the first paragraph?
2. What are the chief reasons for caution and moderation that Hamilton offers in paragraphs 2 through 4?

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   Exploring the Text: - What are the chief reasons for caution and moderation that Hamilton offers in paragraphs 2 through 4?
3. How would you explain the nature of the two main obstacles Hamilton addresses? Which one is more important? Explain.

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   Exploring the Text: - How would you explain the nature of the two main obstacles Hamilton addresses? Which one is more important? Explain.
4. How effective is the comparison that he makes between politics and religion (par. 4)?

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   Exploring the Text: - How effective is the comparison that he makes between politics and religion (par. 4)?
5. How does Hamilton characterize the “great national discussion” (par. 5)?

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   Exploring the Text: - How does Hamilton characterize the “great national discussion” (par. 5)?
6. Why might “zeal for the rights of the people” be a “specious mask” while the appearance of “zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government” be “forbidden” (par. 5)? Do you find this ironic? Why would Hamilton suggest the former as more dangerous? Explain.

   Question

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   Exploring the Text: - Why might “zeal for the rights of the people” be a “specious mask” while the appearance of “zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government” be “forbidden” (par. 5)? Do you find this ironic? Why would Hamilton suggest the former as more dangerous? Explain.
7. How does Hamilton appeal to ethos in paragraph 6?

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   Exploring the Text: - How does Hamilton appeal to ethos in paragraph 6?
8. Hamilton has been regarded by some as holding a pessimistic view of human nature. In “Federalist No. 6” Hamilton writes that “men are ambitious, vindictive, and rapacious.” But in “Federalist No. 76” he states, “The supposition of universal venality in human nature is little less an error in political reasoning than the supposition of universal rectitude.” And in the same paper he recommends that a citizen “view human nature as it is, without either flattering its virtues, or exaggerating its vices.” Would you characterize Hamilton as optimistic, pessimistic, or merely realistic? Explain.

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - Hamilton has been regarded by some as holding a pessimistic view of human nature. In “Federalist No. 6” Hamilton writes that “men are ambitious, vindictive, and rapacious.” But in “Federalist No. 76” he states, “The supposition of universal venality in human nature is little less an error in political reasoning than the supposition of universal rectitude.” And in the same paper he recommends that a citizen “view human nature as it is, without either flattering its virtues, or exaggerating its vices.” Would you characterize Hamilton as optimistic, pessimistic, or merely realistic? Explain.