Humanities & Classics 1002
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Renaissance Forum
Humanities & Classics 1002 |
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In Reply to: PLEASE POST YOUR SECOND REQUIRED POSTING AS FOLLOWUPS TO THIS POST posted by Tom Bacig on January 13, 1999 at 21:59:54:
Machiavelli, Castiglione, and Alberti represent three views on Renaissance persona. In Alberti's piece "On the Family,"/name he discusses what the ideal Renaissance man would be. He would hate idleness, which would be the vice of all bad things and would lead to the fall of all good men. Alberti outlines how the ideal Renaissance man would be knowledgeable in many areas and have many expertises. For him, the ideal man would be empty without the use of his mind. There are many things in the world with which to stimulate the mind and to make use of the limbs of the body. In his perspective, the man who denies idleness, in turn denies evil which makes the working man inherently good. It is in this point that his idea differs from that of Castiglione and Machiavelli.
Castiglione in "The Courtier,"/name represents another view of the ideal Renaissance man. Castiglione argues that the soldier is the ideal Renaissance persona. He says that a life of arms is the most honorable life, and that displays of courage, energy, and faithfulness is ideal. He says that a display of cowardice will permanently disgrace the reputation. His view of the ideal man is that of a gentleman who is a trained killer, a man of war. This idea is what we can associate with our idea of a pre-revolutionary southern gentleman. He should be a man who uses every opportunity to better his reputation and have the wisdom to stay out of those situations which may be damaging to him. To fail at something is to fall to disgrace which does not happen to the ideal man.
Machiavelli, in "The Prince,"/name outlines his version of the ideal Renaissance man. This man, who is also a prince, embodies all aspects of personality. This man commands respect, is generous, cruel, faithful, and faithless. A prince, he says, can be all of these things and none of these things. Ideally, he would have the best combination of generosity and cruelness. A prince should be wise enough to know when to be virtuous and when not to be. He says that sometimes virtuosity can lead to downfall and sometimes something which seems like a vice can lead to security and prosperity. Machiavelli argues that to be virtuous is not always the best way to be. Sometimes men, especially princes, need to be ruthless and not feel guilty about it.
Alberti, Castiglione, and Machiavelli represent three different views on the ideal Renaissance persona. Alberti advocated the good man who shall do no evil, and hate those men who do evil deeds. Evilness, in his perspective comes from idle hands and to avoid this one must keep busy. Castiglione, on the other hand believes that the most honorable man is a man of arms who is faithful to his leader and refuses to involve himself in activities which could damage his reputation. He cares not about evil if his master commands his deed. Machiavelli, claims the ideal man cares not about evil doing or reputation, only about doing that which will secure his needs, whatever it will be.