The Book of the Courtier (Il Cortegiano), describing the behaviour of the ideal courtier (and court lady) was one of the most widely distributed books in the 16th century. It remains the definitive account of Renaissance court life. This edition, Thomas Hoby's 1561 English translation, greatly influenced the English ideal of the "gentleman." Baldesar Castiglione was a courtier at the court of Urbino, at that time the most refined and elegant of the Italian courts. Practising his principles, he counted many of the leading figures of his time as friends, and was employed on important diplomatic missions. He was a close personal friend of Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, better known as Raphael, who painted the sensitive portrait of Castiglione on the cover of this edition.

Peter Hainsworth's sparkling, eminently readable new English translation of 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 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

Written by Baldasar Castiglione, count of Novilara and an Italian courtier himself, "The Book of the Courtier" remains as one of the most important and definitive accounts of 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" discusses the expectations of a courtier who must have a warrior spirit, be athletic, and have good knowledge of the humanities, classics and fine arts. As the members of the court try to describe the perfect gentleman of the court over the course of four evenings they engage in a debate over the nature of nobility, humor, women, and love in the age of the Italian Renaissance. The English translation of Leonard E. Opdycke of this important historical writing is presented here in this edition of "The Book of the Courtier."

Peter Hainsworth's sparkling, eminently readable new English translation of 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 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

Discretion, decorum, nonchalance, and gracefulness are qualities of the complete and perfect Italian Renaissance courtier that are outlined in this series of imaginary conversations between the principal members of the court of Urbino in 1507.