‘The courtier has to imbue with grace his movements, his gestures, his way of doing things and in short, his every action’In The Book of the Courtier (1528), Baldesar Castiglione, a diplomat and Papal Nuncio to Rome, sets out to define the essential virtues for those at Court. In a lively series of imaginary conversations between the real-life courtiers to the Duke of Urbino, his speakers discuss qualities of noble behaviour – chiefly discretion, decorum, nonchalance and gracefulness – as well as wider questions such as the duties of a good government and the true nature of love. Castiglione’s narrative power and psychological perception make this guide both an entertaining comedy of manners and a revealing window onto the ideals and preoccupations of the Italian Renaissance at the moment of its greatest splendour.
George Bull’s elegant translation captures the variety of tone in Castiglione’s speakers, from comic interjections to elevated rhetoric. This edition includes an introduction examining Castiglione’s career in the courts of Urbino and Mantua, a list of the historical characters he portrays and further reading.
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The Book of the Courtier (Penguin Classics)

CASTIGLIONE, BALDESAR

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One of 60 low-priced classic texts published to celebrate Penguin's 60th anniversary. All the titles are extracts from "Penguin Classics" titles.

Etiquette for Renaissance Gentlemen

World

The Book of the Courtier (1528) is a series of fictional conversations by courtiers of the Duke of Urbino that takes place in 1507, while Castiglione was himself attaché to the Duke. Today the Book remains the most reliable and illuminating account of Renaissance court life and of what it took to be the "Perfect Courtier" and "Court Lady." The Singleton translation―the most acclaimed and accurate available―is accompanied by annotations. "Criticism" features ten essays on The Book of the Courtier, which represent the best interpretations from the United States, Italy, and England including the backgrounds-rich essays by Amedeo Quondam and James Hankins. A Selected Bibliography, a Chronology, and an Index are included.

The Book of the Courtier (Norton Critical Editions)

Essays & Correspondence

W.W.Norton&Company

Information about this work may be found in Wikipedia at their web page: /wiki/Baldassare_Castiglione Classic work first published in 1528 in Italian. This book copy is a translation in English by Sir Thomas Hoby, first published in 1561. This paperback edition was first published in 1974, and this particular book copy was printed in 1975.

The Book of the Courtier

Biographies & Memoirs

Dutton Adult

First published in 1528 and written over several years by Baldesar Castiglione, count of Novilara, “The Book of the Courtier” is one of the most important and definitive accounts of Italian Renaissance court life. Organized as a series of fictional conversations that occur between the courtiers of the Duke of Urbino in 1507, “The Book of the Courtier” is a book of manners and etiquette and discusses the expectations for a perfect courtier. Castiglione had intimate knowledge of these rules and standards as he was a courtier and diplomat himself with many years spent in the Duke of Urbino’s court. The courtier must have a warrior spirit, be athletic, and have good knowledge of the humanities, classics, and fine arts. As the fictional members of the court debate and try to describe the perfect gentleman, as well as the perfect lady, they engage in a discussion of the nature of nobility, humor, and love in the age of the Italian Renaissance. “The Book of the Courtier” was widely read and distributed soon after its publication and remains a significant first-hand account of this fascinating period in history. This edition follows the translation of Leonard E. Opdycke and is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Digireads.com Publishing

The Book of the Courtier is the definitive account of Renaissance court life. First printed in Venice in 1528 it rapidly became the go to book for young men and women who were looking to become the perfect courtiers and ladies. One of the most widely distributed books of the 16th century, it had editions printed in six languages. Written in the form of a dialogue it captures conversations between some of the most influential courtiers of sixteenth century Italy, including the Venetian scholar Pietro Bembo, Guiliano de Medici who was at that time exiled from Florence, Elisabetta Gonzaga, wife of Guidobaldo di Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, and many more. Their conversation, set at the court of Urbino in 1507, was spread over four evening where each member attempted to describe the perfect gentleman of the court, in the process debating the nature of nobility, humor, women and love. During the first evening they discuss whether a courtier should be militaristic or literary. The second evening involves a discussion of the courtier’s pastimes and manners. The third covers what it is to be a perfect Renaissance lady of the court, and the fourth discusses the role that the courtier should have in politics. The Book of the Courtier remains a fascinating work for understanding the Renaissance court. The British historian Denys Hay stated that it was “The most important single contribution to a diffusion of Italian values”. Baldesar Castiglione, count of Casatico, was an Italian courtier, diplomat and soldier. The Book of the Courtier was his most famous work as an author. He frequently worked closely with the popes of the age, fighting in Pope Julius II’s expedition against Venice and serving as Apostolic nuncio to Spain for Pope Clement VII. He eventually died in Spain at the age of fifty in 1529. The translator of this edition was Leonard Eckstein Opdycke who died in 1914. This edition was published in 1903.

Independently published

Peter Hainsworth's sparkling, eminently readable new English translation of&nbsp;The Book of the Courtier, Baldesar Castiglione's (14781529) literary and philosophical masterpiece, captures all the nuance, stylistic flair, and humor of this foundational work of Renaissance humanism. "Peter Hainsworth's fresh translation of&nbsp;The Book of the Courtier&nbsp;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&nbsp;Courtier's principal themes. For 150 years, the ideals expressed in Castiglione's&nbsp;Courtier&nbsp;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

History & Criticism

Hackett Publishing Company, Inc.

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The Book of the Courtier (Penguin Classics)

Great Ideas How To Achieve True Greatness

How to Achieve True Greatness (Penguin Great Ideas)

Etiquette for Renaissance Gentlemen

The Book of the Courtier (Norton Critical Editions)

The Book of the Courtier

The Book of the Courtier

The Book of the Courtier

The Book of the Courtier

The Book of the Courtier