The Book of the Courtier: Difference between revisions
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To this day, the Book of the Courtier remains |
To this day, the Book of the Courtier remains ''the'' most definitive account of [[Renaissance]] court life. In its own day, however, it was used as a manual on how to be the "Perfect Courtier" and the consummate "Court Lady." |
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Revision as of 05:11, 5 January 2002
The Book of the Courtier was written by Baldassare Castiglione in 1528. Baldassare was inspired to write the Coutier, by debates that occured in Urbino on what makes a well rounded person (l'uomo universale).
The book is organized as a series of fictional converstations that occur between the courtiers of the Duke of Urbino in the year 1507 (when Baldassare was in fact part of the Duke's Court). In the book, the courtier is described as having a cool mind, a good voice (with beautiful, elegant & brave words) along with proper bearing & gesters. At the same time though, the courtier is expected to have a warrior spirit, to be athletic and have good knowledge of the humanities, Classics and how to draw & paint.
To this day, the Book of the Courtier remains the most definitive account of Renaissance court life. In its own day, however, it was used as a manual on how to be the "Perfect Courtier" and the consummate "Court Lady."
Examples of people who personified this were: Leonardo da Vinci & (much more recently) Jackie Kennedy
External Link to full English translation by Sir Thomas Hoby (1561): http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~rbear/courtier/courtier.html