41 pages • 1 hour read
Baldassarre CastiglioneThe Book of the Courtier
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1528A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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Is Castiglione’s courtier a “first class flatterer” (125)? Substantiate your answer with reference to the work’s Renaissance context.
How was Castiglione’s courtier influential in later Early Modern literature? Focus on one or two examples.
Write about the form and structure of Castiglione’s The Book of the Courtier.
Why do you think Castiglione pretended to have been absent during the original discussions? Why does he write: “Our Castiglione writes from England promising to tell us much more on his return” (312).
Discuss the theme of appearance versus reality in The Book of the Courtier.
Compare Machiavelli’s The Prince with Castiglione’s The Book of the Courtier. How is the topic of power handled in each of the works?
Do you think Castiglione favored a monarchy or a republic? Consider the social and political context of The Book of the Courtier in your response.
Examine the role of women in Castiglione’s The Book of the Courtier. What characteristics are most prized in a female courtier possess?
Explain the concept of vergogna in Castiglione’s The Book of the Courtier. How important is this concept to the courtiers?
The Mannerists veered away from the natural in pursuit of beauty. How lifelike do you find the conversations in Castiglione’s text?
