Castiglione's The Courtier
This is Castiglione's entire book, but I want you to scroll to the bottom where he describes the qualities for both male and female courtiers.
Remember to answer the five questions listed on your syllabus. Also, why are these qualities about which Castiglione writes important? How do they reflect the values and ideas of the time?
Due: MIDNIGHT Wednesday, August 23
Remember to answer the five questions listed on your syllabus. Also, why are these qualities about which Castiglione writes important? How do they reflect the values and ideas of the time?
Due: MIDNIGHT Wednesday, August 23
posted by RJS at
11:21 AM
7 Comments:
The main idea of the reading is to provide a guide on etiquette and seems to outline what one must do to fit in with the noble class. It seems to be written by an upper classman as a reference book for young adults who need to learn the ropes of behaving properly in society. Like the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. Actually it's more like an early version of Emily Post's books. I'm sure that's where she got her inspiration. Anyway, from reading this I see such details as the fact that nobody can stand out as far as their manner of dress goes. It specifically mentions wearing dark colors and nothing too "fantasticall". Women are obviously subordinate, and must not make themselves seem too witty or interesting in front of the men, whereas men must know how to play lute, hunt, speak Italian, leap, jump and so forth. To impress whom, I don't know. The standards are high for the men, and the women must be careful, but as Gabriael said, everything probably went smoothly without any more conflict than they needed. I can't say the same for the dialect of the writing.
By
Victoria, at Wednesday, August 23, 2006 5:09:00 PM
The theme of the book is of course what makes a well-rounded person in social matters, and the purpose was to set down the rules of the time for that, as before the stylish thing was to be as knight-like as you could, rather than intellectual. Castiglione was indeed a member of the upper class and got the ideas for the book from listening to debates in Urbino on the subject. The men were told to basically be renaissance men, knowing Latin, Greek, Italian, French, Spanish, being up to physical feats and sports, to play the most common games well, to at least seem pleasant and to build their reputation. The women weren't all too different, but perhaps slightly more subdued, but still had to know many languages, to be learned, to dance, to paint, both had to dress darkly, I didn't see a huge difference between the two, myself. Everyone else seemed to see this as very restricting, I saw it as generally the same social rules as today, but perhaps more demanding for someone to actually be interesting and all-around in skill, the only real rules for actual social interaction was to not look stupid or arrogant. It shows that the rules were generally the same as they are now socially, when they can still be described as "don't be rude" or "just don't offend anyone" for those words' meaning haven't changed. The same things are considered socially unacceptable. The only real difference is fashion and that knowing a lot makes you socially acceptable.
By
Unknown, at Wednesday, August 23, 2006 5:44:00 PM
The theme of this piece is the strict and high expectations that the upper class had for it's courtiers. The ways in which they should behave and present themselves are set to the smallest details to make sure that nothing is out of place in court. Thie author of this piece, who was probably some sort of courtier during his life and decided to define the way in which courtiers would be expected to act. Prehaps the rules had been unclear before this was written. I learned from readin this the rigid way in which court life was expected to run. The smallest things were attended to in order not to offend anyone, which shows how important respect was at least amoung members of the same social standing. These rules mentioned may not seem important to us that men be able to play the lute but it shows that the upper class of this time period are more than just the land owners, they have a certain level of expectation, be it their own or others, to live up to which apparently requires knowledge of the lute. Respect and proper behavior were so much more important during this time than they are now, the wealthy now can do whatever they please without a thought other than that they will see their faces plastered on the tabloids. In the time of Castiglione the upper class was expected to behave perfectly and properly without offending anyone, intentionally or otherwise, as well as be witty and well groomed and wise.
By
manxomefoe, at Wednesday, August 23, 2006 7:46:00 PM
Well, Castiglione doesn't demand much. The average gentleman just needs to speak an average of three languages (French, Italian and Spanish for a start, English a given, Latin would probably help), somehow contrive to both "not to praise himself" and "procure that men may conceive a good opinion of him." While he's at it, he needs to swim, leap, run, vault, wrestle, and throw things over great distances. To listen to Castiglione, noblemen were an odd mixture of translators, triathlon winners, eggheads, and butlers. Women were apparently not expected to keep up with the standard of men-just keep up with the several thousand virtues, speak when spoken to, serve her husband, and keep the kitchen clean. Charming.
In short, Castiglione makes himself very plain in that all persons of "good stocke" should be saints. Apparently, Castiglione's place in society has given him rather deluded ideas about the importance of birth. Admittedly, these ideas were widely accepted, but acceptance does not change their innate nature. Castiglione takes the correct human idea that much is expected from those to whom much is given and turns it into a theory of social castes.
Only a member of higher society would have written such standards. His purpose may have been education, but more likely it was out of a psychological need to justify his position as nobleman. By assigning nobleman as accountable for these virtues, he justify the social system of the time.
I see many biblical values in the article- twisted beattitudes, gifts, fruits, commandments. But mixed in with these more or less accurate commands are rules based entirely on vanity- "to make his garments after the fashion of most."
If this was truly the mindset of the creme de la creme of society, then the corruption of the Catholic churhc begins to be more easily explained. I never thought I would read a document where "love thy neighbor as thyself" had a place next to "daunce well without over nimble footinges."
This document offers an important pyschological insight into the mind of a man who called himself an educator. Understanding the mindset of the people of the Middle Ages can lead to understanding more fully the events that comprised them.
I rather like Laura's point that the pomp and prestige of these rules may have been a way to hide from the reality of a harsh life. Holding one's nose in the air is a very good way of ignoring the squalor around. Of course, it would be best to do neither.
By
ThomasBatson, at Wednesday, August 23, 2006 8:09:00 PM
I believe the main idea of this reading is to state the limiting expectations and guidelines for courtiers and gentylwomen. The men and women of the court were expected to behave perfectly in social situations and uphold a certain lifestyle. I would guess the point of view is someone within the noble class who felt the guidelines for court members should be recorded. To me, this reading teaches that men should be the more athletic type. Some of the expectations of courtiers are to be able to hunt, hawk, handle weapons, manage a horse, and many other things. The reading also suggests that gentylwomen should be more homely. To be a good housewife and love and nourish. This document shows the high expectations for a court member and basically how socially and mentally able one had to be.
By
taylor, at Wednesday, August 23, 2006 8:31:00 PM
at thomas: English isn't a given, because Castiglione was Italian.
By
Unknown, at Wednesday, August 23, 2006 9:22:00 PM
The reading was to publicize, either to the world at that time or the world in a future time, the manner in which Courtiers were to hold themselves. The point of view could most likely be that of a courtier or person in equal or higher class in court. I agree with some posters that the guidelines were verbal or understood, most likely taught to children of nobility that were to become courtiers, and someone wrote them down because they believed them to be of enough importance to record. This document reminds me of, for some odd reason, the 'unwritten girls friendship code' where basically every girl understands rules such as "never date a friends ex-boyfriend without permission" or "never like the same guy as your friend, and if you do, never let them find out". The fact that the men of the court were to behave in a specific manner to the women, and that the women were not to tolerate disrespect from the men is of importance to be more knowledgeable in how women and men were trained to treat each other. What I found confusing was how a courtier was to hold himself in the snobbiest, highest manner and, at the same time, be as modest and humble as possible.
By
TeganLove, at Sunday, August 27, 2006 2:02:00 PM
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