The Book of the Courtier

by Baldesar Castiglione

Overview

For centuries, Castiglione's perfect courtier provided a model for the educated classes of Europe. But although The Book of the Courtier has sometimes been read as a self-help guide for young men and women, it consists of vivid and colourful dialogues exploring key ethical issues. Should the courtier consciously use "image-management" or rely on his natural talents to attract attention? Should he obey the orders of an immoral prince or try and persuade him to behave better? Is courtliness just a passport to social success or an inspiring spiritual idea?

Sexual equality, wit and humour are among the many issues debated in this deliciously fresh picture of Renaissance court society in Italy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781420964080
Publisher:	Digireads.com Publishing
Publication date:	11/11/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Peter Hainsworth is Emeritus Fellow and Professor of Italian, Oxford University.

Editorial Reviews

"Peter Hainsworth's fresh translation of The Book of the Courtier will gladden those who have known this quintessentially important work through the available translations that are, after several decades, somewhat dated. Hainsworth's version is more accessible to contemporary readers because, first, it is more easily read, and second, because it deftly places Castiglione's classic discussion of manners, gender roles, language, and love in historical context. Instructors especially will welcome the Introduction’s establishment of the biographical, political, and cultural framework of Castiglione's dialogue; the explanatory notes that amply supply the information students will need to appreciate the conversation; and the guidance provided by an analytically enriched table of contents that groups the chapters meaningfully while highlighting the Courtier's principal themes. For 150 years, the ideals expressed in Castiglione's Courtier guided the European elite. Hainsworth’s robust new English edition will help students understand how and why."
—Margaret L. King, Professor of History Emerita, Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center, CUNY

From the Publisher