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:
It can be argued that the three greatest Renaissance thinkers were Alberti, Castiglione, and Machiavelli. Whether you believe that or not, there can still be little debate that these three scholars, along with their most influential pieces, create many of the ideals we have about the perfect "Renaissance man." Although very different in some of the specifics that each author argues, their most important works have similarities as well.
Alberti best displays his ideas about the ideal Renaissance man in "On the family."Alberti stresses that above all else, man must treat idleness and laziness as deadly foes that must be avoided at all costs. The ideal Renaissance man, to Alberti, would be a hard working man who believes in doing everything possible to be a well-rounded person. He must be knowledgeable in a lot of different areas to be a complete person. He must use his mind to accomplish things that others think impossible. Alberti specifically mentions that anyone who works hard, accepts challenges with openness and vigor, and uses their mind to the fullest can be a great Renaissance man. Not to be a hypocrit, Alberti was the perfect example of a man with his ideals. He was not only an author, but a artist as well. He was also somewhat of a scholar. Alberti was a very well-rounded Renaissance man, able to accomplish anything he put his mind to, and that is what he thought every Renaissnace man should be like.
Castiglione,in his piece "The Courtier," defines his idea of the ideal Renaissance man. In great contrast to Alberti, Castiglione focuses on one specific thing for the Renaissance man to be good at. That one thing is the same for every man, and it is to be a soldier. While Castiglione believed that every man needed to be knwledgeable in the areas of weaponry and strategy and so forth, he focuses more on the honorable part of a soldier. Being honorable included being completely loyal, courageous, and selfless. This, to Castiglione, was the most important thing of all. He focuses less on being a well-rounded person, and more on being a team player, loyal to their country, community, and, if applicable, their army. Castiglione's ideals seem to be more realistic for the common man. Every man, regardless of talent, intelligence or background can still be an ideal Renaissance man, according to Castiglione.
Machiavelli, in "The Prince," also outlines his ideas for the ideal Renaissance man. While he seemed to write the Prince with a thesaurus by his side, he still clearly states his ideas. Machiavelli's main idea seemed to be that the most important thing for the Renaissance man was to use their mind to determine when to use their power, and when to hold back. To be an effective ruler, this is key, according to Machiavelli. While he stresses that strength, leadership, and intelligence were important, none of it matters if you don't know how and when to use these attributes. You must know when to attack, when to hold back, when to be kind, and when to be cruel. Overall, Machiavelli says that maintaining your power is what makes a man a true Renaissance man. While it is important to be good to the people you rule, it is more important to be an effective ruler and maintain your power than is to be loved by all your people. A ruler must
sometimes be cruel, and they must know and accept that.
Alberti, Castiglione, and Machiavelli were all great Renaissance thinkers, and all had different ideas about the perfect "Renaissance man." In my mind, Alberti's ideals seem to be most applicable today,but not everyone can be as well rounded as he was. However, all three of these scholars share the most important idea of all-a man should be recognized not only by status, possesions and wealth, but most importantly by the knowledge and creativity that each of us show. Individuality is the most important thing of all, and something that nobody can ever take away from us.