Connecting Castiglione's Renaissance Human Ideal With Modern Views on the Subject: A Questionnaire

Arguably the greatest and longest impacting movement brought about by the forward thinkers of the Renaissance was humanism. Humanism was a cultural and intellectual movement that emphasized the human potential to attain excellence through direct study of the literature, art, and civilization of the classical Greek and Roman societies (Merriam-Webster). The scholars and believers in humanism sought to change the course of society away from the narrow pedantry of medieval scholasticism and utilitarianism. Humanism was a basic desire for every citizen to be able to speak with eloquence and read and write with clarity, so that common citizens were capable of engaging in the civic life of their communities (Gray). The movement also emphasized the value of a human being as well as the importance of rational thought rather than blind faith in spiritualism or superstition. It also pushed people to explore human desires and pleasures while also enriching their minds. The influential nature of humanism was far reaching and most notable for its effects on Renaissance art, literature, and philosophy.

Castiglione approached manners in a much different way. Castiglione believed in someone who was strong and perfect. He should be able to skillful in handling weapons and horses, for the art of war. "And therefore will I have him to be of good

The Courtier, originally written as a “courtesy book”, can now be considered to provide significant insight into the norms and practices associated with courtship and gender during the Renaissance era. The book’s third volume is a particularly insightful window into 16th century romantic ideals. Throughout Book Three, Baldassare Castiglione builds an elaborate perspective on what makes the perfect court lady, what sexual and social behavior is acceptable, and how an ideal couple (both courtier and court lady) should function.

Castiglione's The Courtier presents a set of female and male indications for being ideal or well-rounded persons, spread across four books of what was to become a Renaissance-specific manual for achieving the human etiquette ideal. A parallel is to be traced between these precepts that were drawn five centuries ago, and the current situation.

It is common for the concepts of both manliness and honor to go hand in hand with one another. This nobility is defined by what they believe is entitled to them. The male

The three major categories that have been mentioned, respect, leadership, and social image, were the ways that a person with a high ranking of social order would act in public and within their own homes. The Book of The Courtier by Baldassar Castiglione was the base of the modern day books on proper etiquette; yet, the rules are now not only for the rich but also for the

Baldassare Castiglione paints a complex picture concerning the idea of courtesy during the sixteenth century. However, many of the ideas it addresses are largely considered to be outdated today and many would consider some of them to be absurd. It possible, although, to be a gentleman or a lady in the contemporary society as long as one takes into account a series of principles that dominate thinking in the present.

The Renaissance period was a truly enlightening period in history that birthed many great advancements in all fields of science, and inventions. How did the period of time we know as, “The Renaissance”, change or alter man’s view of man? Well, we know that in the Middle Ages, the Church had authority over most people, and people had very few rights. In 1400’s, the Middle Ages had ended and then began the Renaissance. The Renaissance was a monumental change in Europe which lasted for 300 years. Humanity as we know it was changed drastically by this rebirth of Europe, and truly enlightening time period. The cause of this was many bright minds using their resources to their maximum potential; beginning new advancements in art, literature,

The poetry of Ovid exemplified in The Art of Love is one of the only examples of the contemporary social behavior exhibited during the time of Rome. Ovid writes about social activities, proper style, women, and how to obtain them. Through Ovid’s perspective, there are three different ways to consider a woman. These three views include relating a woman to a game, a beautiful treasure, and as a means to assert social status. Comparatively, Andreas Capellanus writes in a way that makes women seem respected, worthy and as something to a man would willingly devote his life to. Both men have a clear fascination with women and their relationship to men. However, their distinct writing styles cause

Don Quixote is a character who read so many books on chivalry, he 'was so absorbed in these books that his nights were spent reading from dusk till dawn…until the lack of sleep and the excess of reading withered his brain, and he went mad'(Cervantes p.26). 'considering it desirable and necessary, both for the increase of his honour and for the common good [he becomes] a knight errant'

As a ship is without a sail or a king with no castle, so too is a courtier without a Court lady. In "The Book of the Courtier" Baldesar Castiglione not only included a perfect courtier, he also molded his female equivalent, a Court lady. "The Courtier" itself was a step by step guide intended to instruct the young, affluent and upwardly mobile in areas of manners, learning, sport and conduct. It was published in 1528, at a high point of humanistic thought and antiquarian chivalric interest in Renaissance Italy. Often overlooked or undervalued is the discussion of the ideal Court lady, described in eloquent and perfect detail by the characters of Caesar and Magnifico, who was assigned by the Duchess to

According to the Venetian myth, Venice was a very devoted Christian city. But it is hard to reconcile the Christian religion with the culture that believed in Greek gods. Therefore, Fonte’s interest in Greek god and goddesses must have arisen from humanistic influence. Renaissance humanists have found the ancient Greeks and Romans to be their example of virtuous men, and they equate the mastery of humanistic fields of learning with one’s morality and virtue. Following this logic, women who attain the classical knowledge should be as virtuous as male humanists. Thus, Fonte made an effort in The Worth of Women to demonstrate her literacy on the classical works because the ancient authority applies to male humanists. Although Fonte knew that Greek myths were fairy tales, instead of reading them just for pleasure, she studied the myths and explored the ideas and values conveyed through the stories and used them to support her praises for women and critiques of men. For example, after Corinna finishes telling the story about the unicorn, beside praises on Corinna’s story telling Leonora raises a point that the story “seems to put men in a rather better light than women” (Fonte, 166). Also, Corinna’s poem that fantasizes the reason that men lack genuine passion when in love is of Fonte’s own creation. In the poem, she makes use of the characters in Greek myths in order to communicate to the listeners that jealousy and avarice has made love disappear from men’s heart, as she states early on the first day that men “seek to destroy [women] out of envy for [their] merits” (Fonte, 60). Moreover, Fonte’s mastery of rhetoric is shown in Leonora’s speech asking for men’s love and respect. The style of the poem is similar to the speeches written by Greek orators, and to the women, Leonora is “arguing away and disputing away like

In the book of the Courtier the first book provides the material cause of the courtier, the “good conditions and qualities” out of which the courtier will be formed. Ludovico di Canossa talks about the physical and moral qualities of the ideal courtier, which may change under the influence of chance and the vicissitudes of life. These conditions and qualities include noble birth, the profession of arms, stature and skills in arms, horsemanship and other physical activities, speaking and writing skills, virtues, and cultural accomplishments such as music and drawing.

Travelers from England saw the Renaissance, or rebirth of tradition from the Greeks and Romans as seen in literature, in Italy. Humanists transferred this movement into schooling. Also, we see a shift from a predetermined fate from the medieval ages to believing god provides options and everyone has potential.

Wishing for a rebirth is wishing for an opportunity to achieve perfection, through rebirth one can not only correct previous mistakes, but also contemplate aspects of the world that went unnoticed in previous times. Literally meaning “rebirth” the Renaissance is a time period of discovery and reason, where the perspective of the masses went from a concern for one’s existence beyond death back down to earth to the study and the idealism of the individual. The Renaissance consisted of a period spanning from the 14th to 17th century where a time of war and plague came to a close, allowing the European population’s perspective to move away from simply surviving and towards living life to the fullest. According to the Saylor Foundation “The Renaissance transformed nearly all facets of European culture and society.” This allowed for resources to be spent on promoting and commissioning the arts as well as the development of new scientific techniques, resulting in a consistent theme of humanism throughout the Renaissance period.