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Questions and Answers
What is a primary characteristic of the ideal courtier described by Castiglione?
What is a primary characteristic of the ideal courtier described by Castiglione?
- Reserved and uninvolved
- Egotistical and boastful
- Arrogant and demanding
- Gentle and modest (correct)
According to Castiglione, which of the following activities should a courtier avoid?
According to Castiglione, which of the following activities should a courtier avoid?
- Rope-walking (correct)
- Dancing gracefully
- Wrestling
- Jousting
What does the term 'sprezzatura' refer to in the context of the courtier?
What does the term 'sprezzatura' refer to in the context of the courtier?
- The ability to make tasks look easy (correct)
- The art of showing off
- A sign of physical strength
- A courtier’s entitlement
What qualities should a lady possess according to Castiglione?
What qualities should a lady possess according to Castiglione?
Which of the following is NOT a quality of the ideal gentleman according to The Courtier?
Which of the following is NOT a quality of the ideal gentleman according to The Courtier?
What physical attributes were preferred in an ideal courtier?
What physical attributes were preferred in an ideal courtier?
How should a courtier perform difficult tasks?
How should a courtier perform difficult tasks?
In what social setting is the concept of a courtier primarily based?
In what social setting is the concept of a courtier primarily based?
Which of the following is a skill that the ideal courtier should have?
Which of the following is a skill that the ideal courtier should have?
What was a key societal role of courtiers in the context of the royal court?
What was a key societal role of courtiers in the context of the royal court?
Flashcards
Courtier
Courtier
A person who spends time at the court of a king or prince.
The Book of the Courtier
The Book of the Courtier
A book written by Baldassar Castiglione in the early 1500s describing the ideal behavior of a courtier.
Courtly Life
Courtly Life
The ideals and manners expected of people at a royal court.
Sprezzatura
Sprezzatura
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Courtier's Abilities
Courtier's Abilities
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Ideal Gentleman in The Courtier
Ideal Gentleman in The Courtier
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Ideal Lady in The Courtier
Ideal Lady in The Courtier
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Qualities of an Ideal Courtier
Qualities of an Ideal Courtier
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Modesty in The Courtier
Modesty in The Courtier
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Grace in The Courtier
Grace in The Courtier
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Study Notes
Castiglione's The Courtier
- Baldassar Castiglione wrote The Book of the Courtier (also known as The Courtier) in the early 1500s.
- The book detailed the ideal behavior for courtiers.
- A courtier is someone who spends significant time at a prince's court (palace, royal family, servants, officers and advisors).
- The book outlines courtly behavior and ideals.
- Castiglione's ideal courtier possesses several traits:
- Witty, elegant, and cultured (for ladies)
- Loyal, courteous (to women), athletic, sensitive, artistic, and well-educated (for gentlemen)
- A perfect courtier is skilled in various areas: horseriding, soldiering, dancing.
- Excellent physical attributes (well-built, shapely) and remarkable athletic abilities are desirable (jousting, wrestling, tennis, spear-throwing).
- Castiglione cautioned against activities like somersaults and rope-walking.
- Core traits beyond skills include:
- Gentleness, modesty, and reserve
- Sprezzatura: appearing effortless and unstressed in actions. This quality (Italian word) involves making difficult tasks seem simple.
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