Sprezzatura

Baldisseri Castiglione’s Il Libro del Cortegiano (The Book of the Courtier) was one of the most popular, widely distributed and historically significant books in Renaissance Europe. Written between 1508 and 1528, Castiglione drew upon his years of experience of courts around Italy to imagine a discussion about what constitutes a ‘perfect’ courtly gentleman and lady. Soon after its release it had become a relative success in Italy and continued to grow in popularity, reaching over one hundred editions (fifty-eight in Italian) by the end of the sixteenth century. In order to explain why this was the case, this essay will first explore the changes in Italian society and court life that facilitated the demand for a book of its content and genre. Courts were increasingly prevalent in Italy’s cities and their purpose and image was changing. This will be followed by a more detailed look at aspects of the book itself that made it so popular and well received among multiple audiences over time; humanists, women and noblemen. Courts were becoming increasingly numerous and powerful in Italy over the course of the sixteenth century. Although the study of renaissance culture, especially art and literatures, traditionally focuses on Rome and the Republicans of Florence and Venice, the role of smaller northern cities was growing throughout the period. Compared with the instability and conflict in Florence and Rome during the 16th century the signorial governments of these placed…

In my view these writers fit together because they all were a part of a changing time and played a role in the development of the Renaissance. In the reading by Manuel Chrysoloras expresses his view both Rome and Constantinople. He compares both cities architecture and sculptors. During this time Italy began to prosper while the Byzantine empire was coming to a close. In the reading from Columbus he writes about his encounter after finding the islands and describing the people. Exploration to…

never try to become the center of attention. Socially, he possessed refined table manners, danced well but not wildly, and dressed richly and in somber colors. In a larger sense, these courtly duties and graces, Castiglione asserted, were meant for helping the nation. When Castiglione described the Duke of Urbino, we get a glimpse of how much Castiglione admired him because the Duke embodied all the qualities of the ideal nobleman. The elegance at the Duke of Urbino’s palace was a portrait of…

I am writing this essay in order to earn my place in National Junior Honor Society. I believe that my academic skills meet that of what is required of this group. I was the only one to have earned the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence in the 2013-14 school year. I have received straight A’s every quarter of the two completed years of middle school which means that I also subsequently received High Honors those quarters as well. I haven’t ever received a detention or an A.C.E. of any…

Hero for himself. Claudio believed him then, but Prince later proved that he wooed Hero for Claudio specifically. “Thus answer I in name of Benedick, But hear these ill news with the ears of Claudio. ‘Tis certain, so the Prince woos for himself.” (47) So Claudio was duped twice by Don John, despite that Don John is a enemy that he had just faced in war. The fear of any chance of cuckoldry is so strong in Claudio that he plans to shame Hero before looking at evidence, which is disloyal,…