Question

Describe Castiglione’s views of the ideal Renaissance courtier.

Answer 1

The Book of the Courtier is a courtesy book by Baldassare Castiglione, written from 1508 to 1528. It deals with topics such as etiquette, morals and proper social behaviour, particularly at royal courts.

In the book, Castiglione defines what he considers to be the ideal Renaissance courtier.One of the qualities he believes this courtier should have is a good voice that emits beautiful, elegant and brave words. He should also have a proper bearing and gestures. The courtier is also expected to have a warrior spirit, to be athletic, and have a good general knowledge of the humanities, the arts and the Classics. Finally, his oratory and rhetorical skills are regarded as particularly important.

Answer 2

The correct answer is that the courtier had to be well-educated, have good manners, be good at poetry, sports, music, be energetic and faithful, athletic but not over-athletic, good at games, but not a gambler, plays an instrument, knows literature and history but is not a snob; shows solid and steady manliness. Courtier is an attendant (assistant) to a person of royalty or the court who must be faithful to whoever he serves.