Another development in the field of humanism was the courtier system, which was influenced by the interaction between humanist philosophers and the signorial courts of the city-states. These humanists began to develop ideas about the proper conduct of courtiers, or the noble men and women of the courts. In 1518, Baldassare Castiglione, the most renowned humanist involved in the courtier movement, completed the Book of Courtier, which was based on his experiences at the court of Urbino, Italy. This refined book of manners was printed in several languages and influenced the courtiers throughout ...

• Word Count: 1908
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In the 13th century, Europe experienced phenomenal commercial and financial development, which exploded into an era characterized by an incredible efflorescence of artistic energies called the Renaissance. The Renaissance became a true rebirth to the people of Europe by pushing them out of the feuda...

• Word Count: 392
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

He was most well-known for his guide to courtly behavior, titled Il cortegiano (The Courtier). The guide was published in 1528 in Venice and outlines how a courtier should conduct oneself, in love, war, and his pursuit of education (Kekewich 167). ... His advice to the courtier during a time of arms was to seek deserved glory, honor, and excellence, a reverberation of the Greek value of arete. ... In this book, Plato categorized the world into two realms, one of visible reality and another of intelligible reality, and four separate levels of knowledge. ...

• Word Count: 2321
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Likewise, Baldassare Castiglione, an Italian diplomat and author, instructed modern Renaissance gentleman in The Book of the Courtier to become learned in a wide variety of subjects including the humanities, classical poetry, and in writing verse and prose. These Italian humanist views were echoed by northern Christian humanists such as Desiderus Erasmus who wrote in his book On the Art of Learning that students should study the classics because "the whole of attainable knowledge lies therein." ... A Spanish humanist educator, Juan Louis Vives, reflects the views prevalent among male humanist...

• Word Count: 1240
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Graduate