The Book of the Courtier

Foreign Language Reference

Author: Baldassare Castiglione

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 wel….Read More

11 Books Similar to The Book of the Courtier

In Praise of Folly

This witty, influential work by one of the greatest scholars of the Renaissance satirizes the shortcomings of the upper classes and religious institutions of the time. The most effective of… Continue Reading Posted in: Desiderius), Early Works To 1800, Humanists, Moriae Encomium (Erasmus, Renaissance Literary Criticism, Social Customs & Traditions

The Prince

Here is the world's most famous master plan for seizing and holding power. Astonishing in its candor The Prince even today remains a disturbingly realistic and prophetic work on what… Continue Reading Posted in: Economics, Political Philosophy, Political Science Forms Of Government, U.S. Political Science, War

The Divine Comedy, Vol. 2: Purgatory

_The Divine Comedy_ is perhaps the greatest Christian classic ever written, and probably the greatest adventure story ever told. Dante wrote it to entertain, guide, and enrich ordinary readers, not… Continue Reading Posted in: Christianity, Death, Fiction, Grief & Loss Poetry, Italian Poetry, Poems

Utopia

Book by More, Thomas Continue Reading Posted in: Colonies, Controversial Literature, Social Conditions

History of the Peloponnesian War

Written four hundred years before the birth of Christ, this detailed contemporary account of the long life-and-death struggle between Athens and Sparta stands an excellent chance of fulfilling its author's… Continue Reading Posted in: Ancient Greek History, C.B.C.431 B.C.404, Early Works, Literature & Fiction, Sources, Student Collection

The Iliad

One of the foremost achievements in Western literature, Homer's Iliad tells the story of the darkest episode of the Trojan War. At its center is Achilles, the greatest warrior-champion of… Continue Reading Posted in: Bibliography, European Poetry, Fiction, Middle East Troy (Extinct City)

The Aeneid

The Aeneid – thrilling, terrifying and poignant in equal measure – has inspired centuries of artists, writers and musicians.Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket… Continue Reading Posted in: Latin Poetry Translations Into English, Rome (Empire), Virgil

The Symposium

In this text Plato uses a dinner party as a scene for a series of speeches by the guests. From these there emerges a complete and complex philosophy of love.… Continue Reading Posted in: Bibliography, Early Works To 1800, Greek & Roman Philosophy, Soul

Utopia

Thomas More's Utopia is a masterpiece of Renaissance political philosophy, responsible for introducing the term 'utopia' and spawning an entire genre of 'utopian' and 'dystopian' literature. This Penguin Classics edition… Continue Reading Posted in: Classics, Fiction, Philosophy

Leave a Reply