Baldassare Castiglione
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Study Guide
Bibliography
Course Hero. "The Book of the Courtier Study Guide." Course Hero. 20 Mar. 2020. Web. 11 Apr. 2021. <https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-Book-of-the-Courtier/>.
In text
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Bibliography
Course Hero. (2020, March 20). The Book of the Courtier Study Guide. In Course Hero. Retrieved April 11, 2021, from https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-Book-of-the-Courtier/
In text
(Course Hero, 2020)
Bibliography
Course Hero. "The Book of the Courtier Study Guide." March 20, 2020. Accessed April 11, 2021. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-Book-of-the-Courtier/.
Footnote
Course Hero, "The Book of the Courtier Study Guide," March 20, 2020, accessed April 11, 2021, https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-Book-of-the-Courtier/.
Baldassare Castiglione
1528
Nonfiction
Argument, Philosophy
At the height of the Renaissance, professional courtier Baldesar Castiglione mingled with some of Italy's greatest soldiers, scholars, and artists at the court of Urbino. He recounts four conversations in the Urbino palace where guests debate the traits of a perfect courtier. Written in the style of Plato's philosophical dialogues, the discussions engage topics like good government, courtly love, language evolution, and joke delivery. Comic wit and broad humanist ambition combine to make The Book of the Courtier a lasting memorial to Renaissance Italy.
The Book of the Courtier is narrated by the author in the third person.
The Book of the Courtier is a recounting of four conversations held at an Italian court in 1507. Each conversation discusses traits necessary for a courtier, or a nobleman serving a royal monarch in court. The book became popular as a "how-to" guide for courtiers of the Renaissance (c. 1300–c. 1600). This period of European history saw a renewed interest in classical thought and a rebirth of scientific, artistic, and cultural production.
This study guide for Baldassare Castiglione's The Book of the Courtier offers summary and analysis on themes, symbols, and other literary devices found in the text. Explore Course Hero's library of literature materials, including documents and Q&A pairs.
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