George Knapp
2/17/13
Professor J. Russell
16th+17th Century Italy
Prompt 2
Outline:
* Intro: What is a courtier?
-How does the discussion start, and what does it turn into?
-Who is mainly speaking in the text? And talk about how they question each other * P1: bring up the question about how readers depict the different purposes of the courtier * Different views( the book is a practical guidebook on how to become a courtier, philosophical discussion and not a guidebook) * Could there be alternative views * P2:If you’re looking at it from the discussion and manner of the actual courtiers conversing in the book VS. what the courtiers believe the ideal courtier is. * P3: standing for the first viewpoint of (looks at the book as a whole instead of what is discussed in the book * How the characters in the book act, because they are courtiers themselves * How would someone use the book as a practical guidebook * Doing what the characters in the book are doing * P4 (looking at it from the second viewpoint) as if the ideal courtier could never be acheieved by someone * Counter argurments in the book * Everyone has a different idea of what’s perfect. * Talk about the difficulty in trying to achieve perfection * P5 my viewpoint: it could be both depending on how you look at the book. * I agree with the first viewpoint but I also find it absurd that someone would use this book as a way to become the gentlemen that is a courtier * I think that the second viewpoint is more focused on how the courtiers describing the perfect courtier, while the first view point is more about how to become a courtier even if they’re not the ideal courtier. * The second viewpoint seems kind of obtuse to me because if someone did want to become a courtier similar to the ones in the time of this book then they could. * Why? Because times have changed as expressed in the book that bocaccio wouldn’t use old Tuscan if he were present in the book. * I also think that perfection can never be achieved * P6 alternative purposes for the book * Entertainment * Scholarly purposes such as writing essays in a class * Conclusion: overview and how I agree with the first viewpoint * Both viewpoints are valid depending on how you look at the book * Talk about castigliones purpose in the preface.

George Knapp
16th&17th Century Italy
2/19/13
Prompt 2

During the 16th and 17th century in Italy many strived to become a courtier, someone who accompanied royalty in a court. Courtiers used different ways of flattery to gain favorability in different situations(Webster). They are expected to have a fierce presence in athletics, while being even tempered and great knowledge of the arts. Courtiers were charismatic perfectionist that received the highest praise from others. The Book of the Courtier, written by Baldesar Castiglione, is about a fictional setting in which a group of well-known courtiers are engaging in a typical evening discussion where they propose intellectual topics and go into deep discussion about it. On one particular evening the group of courtiers sit in a circle, and each propose a topic in which they feel should be discussed that evening. A few ideas are presented until they all decide on discussing what characteristics the perfect courtier would display. Once someone has given their idea of what characteristics the perfect courtier should have others can say why they agree or disagree with the previously stated characteristics. The Count Ludovico da Canosso, a character that does a great deal of the speaking in the first book, is asked to start the discussion and comes up with characteristic and has great reasoning behind it. After explaining his reasoning for the characteristic, another person usually counters the point with a weakness of the stated characteristic. The conversation between the courtiers continues like this throughout the first book.
Castiglione’s The Book of the Courtier, has been read by many and has caused great question among its readers. There could be other purposes that Castiglione had for the book, but there are two main arguments that the book brings up. The first being that some people believe that the book is believed to be a guide or handbook for anyone who wants to pursue being a courtier or wants to know how to become a courtier. Other people have thought that the book is just a philosophical discussion of what the perfect courtier would be. These people also believe that the book couldn’t use this as a practical guidebook to courtly life for those wishing to rise in social status. Both points are valid depending on many factors, mainly how the reader is looking at the book. The first viewpoint is that people that believe this book is actually a practical guidebook on how to become a courtier. I believe that readers, who believe its possible to use the book as a guide, are looking at the actions and characteristics of the characters in the book. Before the conversation between the characters in the book begins, Castiglione paints a picture for the reader. The picture he paints is how courtiers of this time acted and carried themselves. Castiglione describes Duke Federico, a courtier and a man with great respect. Castiglione says, “In his day was the light of Italy,” in these few words Castiglione, sums up how accomplished Duke Federico was. Later he describes him to us in detail stating, “There aren’t many left who can testify to his prudence, humanity, justice, generosity, undaunted spirit, to his military prowess, signally attested by his many victories, his capture of impregnable places…and the fact that he never lost a battle (10).” Someone could strive to have these characteristics if they wanted to become the perfect courtier. Duke Federico was said to have, “built on the rugged site of Urbino a palace thought by many to be the most beautiful to be found anywhere in all of Italy,…furnished with customary silver, vases, wall hangings of the richest cloth of gold and silk,…countless ancient statues of marble and bronze, rare paintings, and musical instruments of every sort (11).” Duke Federico is described as a very materialistic man, from all the expensive items he had. Readers could infer that a courtier was financially well off and looked to indulge in expensive items. From the conversation that takes place among the courtiers describing the ideal courtier, readers can assume that they were extremely smart from the philosophical evening discussions that they would have. Aside from the courtiers describing the perfect courtier, readers can take in other aspects of the book and use them as ways to become a courtier. It doesn’t come out and tell you how to be, athletic, wealthy, smart, or have everyone love you, but someone that believes it is a practical guide would know that they would have to acquire these abilities and characteristics to become a courtier. Other readers argue that the book is just a philosophical discussion of the ideal courtier, and there is no possible way this book could be used as a guidebook. I find this argument a little obtuse. Obviously the topic of discussion in the book is about the ideal or perfect courtier. A fair argument to the first viewpoint is that this book couldn’t be used as a guidebook to courtly life for those trying to rise in social status. Courtiers were people that exercised being perfect in, “both the mind and body (11),” even though this is impossible to do. First everyone has a different idea of “perfect,” and since a large part of being a courtier is striving to be “perfect” in both mind and body that this could never be achieved. Some of the arguments that take place among the courtiers explain how different people have different ideas of what is perfect. The Count goes into length that the ideal courtier would be elegant and graceful with his words, when messer Federico interrupts him. Federico says, “But I do say that if spoken words have an obscurity in them, such disclosure will not penetrate the mind of the listener, and, since it passes without being understood, is no purpose (36).” On one hand Federico would like the ideal courtier to be able to speak so that he could be understood by someone that isn’t as educated as a courtier, and the Count would prefer him to have the best possible speaking skills that reflect how intelligent the ideal courtier would be. Describing all the “perfect” characteristics is relative and this is why I find second viewpoint difficult to argue.
I personally agree with the first prompt because I believe where there’s a will there’s a way. If someone truly wanted to become a courtier, this book would be a great tool because of Castiglione’s first-hand experience. Although I do find it strange that anyone would want to become a courtier like the ones described by Castiglione. It would be strange mostly because times have changed and I think that a courtier today would be much different than the one Castiglione describes. A great example of this in the book is when the Magnifico, another character in the story says, “Old Tuscan language is more beautiful than others. It is true of course, that one meets with many other words in Petrarch and Boccaccio that now have been dropped from usage. And I for one would never use either in speaking or writing, nor do I think that they themselves would use them any longer if they had lived into our time (38).” He is telling us that he believes that if Petrarch and Boccaccio had been sitting in the circle with the courtiers that they would no longer use the language they did in their writings. A perfect example of how conduct changes with time and why a courtier today would be much different than the ones described in the book.
There are many reasons why someone would choose to write a book. Other than the discussion on what the uses and purpose of the book are, another use of this book could be for entertainment. People have different authors that they prefer, and I can only imagine that people like to read Castiglione’s work. Whether they like the language used by Castiglione or readers just want something to read, this book could be used for entertainment purposes. Another possible use of this book is for discussion and learning in the classroom, similar to this prompt. Before the first book starts Castiglione actually comes out and says why he chose to write the book. After signor Guidobaldo of Montefetro, Duke of Urbino had passed away, Castiglione stayed along with a few other gentlemen to serve his heir and successor in the state, Duke Francesco Maria della Rovere. A few days after Guidobaldo had passed, Castiglione wrote these books in remembrance of him (3).
The debate among scholars will continue on whether or not the book could be used as a guidebook to becoming a courtier. I personally think that if someone wanted to be a courtier today they could use this book as a tool. Castiglione writes about gentlemen of his time that pursued having the most refined taste for everything from arts and athletics to writing and speaking. Today would require different characteristics but the main qualities behind being a courtier are synonymous with being an athlete and gentlemen of today.

Citations
Castiglione, Baldassarre, and Daniel Javitch. The Book of the Courtier. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2002. Print.