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:
Among the writings of Alberti, Castiglione and Machiavelli I find two things
clearly in common. The first is the emphasis on the individual, be it student, courtier or prince, to abstain from idleness and laziness. Alberti bluntly states this condemnation of idleness when he writes, “he [the individual] must abhor idleness and laziness and oppose them as deadly foes.” Castiglione alludes to the same idea when he writes, “he [the courtier] will win a reputation for these good qualities by exercising them at all times and in all places.” To be thought highly of the courtier must always actively pursue good deeds and works. Castiglione’s concern for the courtier being well trained in physical activities and at the same time being highly educated in letters and music and art shows that he would allow no time for idleness nor would a person in pursue of such
personal excellence be a lazy person. Machiavelli implies the same thought about
idleness when he states, “Above all, in all his doing a prince must endeavor to win the reputation of being a great man of outstanding ability.” (The Prince, p.71) In order to achieve this status a prince certainly could not be lazy.
The second commonality I have observed among all three pieces is the authors’ use of the word “prudence” in describing the “Renaissance man.” Machiavelli, in
particular, uses this word consistently throughout The Prince. Prudence in an individual is the ability to be shrewd, cautious, discreet, sensible, foresighted, thrifty and of sound judgment. I think Machiavelli uses this word in reference to shrewdness, judgment and foresight for the future. For example he writes, “Political disorders can be quickly healed if they are seen well in advance (and only a prudent ruler has such foresight); when for a lack of a diagnosis, they are allowed to grow in such a way that everyone can recognize
them, remedies are too late.” (The Prince, p. 10) I think Alberti and Castiglione use the word prudence more in reference to an individual being discreet, sensible and foresighted.
Alberti calls for a liberal education including the study of letters, history,
arithmetic and geometry, the arts, philosophy and poetry. He believed that a person should be able to “read and write perfectly” and “learn excellent customs” and endeavor to do “difficult manly tasks” and to work diligently. Castiglione’s courtier would clearly be a product of the education Alberti calls for. Castiglione’s courtier would be competent in the concerns of war and also physically fit and eloquently skilled in various physical activities. Castiglione also emphasized the courtier’s necessity of being well studied in the humanities and classics and know Greek, Latin and the native language, and having the ability to write verse and draw and paint and also have the ability to play a musical instrument. I think the Machiavelli’s prince is also a product of the type of education Alberti calls for, but in a less revealing way. Machiavelli speaks primarily of the politics of being a prince. He does not speak so much of the liberal education for which Alberti calls. Instead I think Machiavelli unveils this type of education through his own writing. He show that the study of the classics is important, because these histories is what he uses to support his theories. He also supports the study of the Greek and Latin languages, because in order to get the histories of the Greeks and the Romans (which he uses as supporting evidence) he would have to be able to read Greek and Roman texts. Machiavelli differs in that he is more concerned with issues of war and deem it necessary to have skills in the arts or music.
One last issue in which there are differences between the writers is the issue of human nature. Both Alberti and Castiglione believe that the individual should be virtuous, in that he/she is moral and honorable and upright. Machiavelli on the other hand see humans as naturally being “thankless,” fickle,” false,” greedy,” and “dishonest.” In Machiavelli’s view for a prince to preserve his princedom he must be ruthless and if necessary “sacrifice moral virtue” in order to maintain his position.