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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:

There are many similarities to Alberti's, Castiglione's, and Machiavelli's definition of the ideal renassance man/woman. He must be highly educated, highly skilled in many talents, noble, and above all very dedicated to any worthwhile pursuit he undertakes. However, there are also many differences in each writers respective visions.
Alberti's on the family is written as a how to when raising a family. In it he stresses the importance of an education, and more importantly the need for industry and hard work. He also makes the decidedly renaissance claim that men are here on earth to derive happiness from their pursuits. Going further on this point he attempts to justify the profession of making money-and although he doesn't glorify the act-he still considers it worthy and beyond reproach.
Albertis text is marked by a sense of realism. It could almost pass as a middle-class advice column. It also doesnt abandon the notion that God is still the ultimate measuring rod, and advises men to live not only for earthly rewards.
Unlike Alberti, Castiglione's "The Courtier"-also a picture of the ideal man- takes a less realistic stance. The ideal man according to Castiglione must be profeccient in arms, moreover he must be the perfect size and body shape. Here Castiglione differs from Alberti and Castiglione in his romantic vision of the perfect man who must be blessed from birth- not from his own diligence. Also, according to Castiglione- the renaissance man must be highly athletic, a intelligent charismatic speaker, amd possess the best manners. Once again many characteristics that Castiglione's man must have-including the perfect voice and other vain little nuances of presentation- are seemingly unattainable and unrealistic.
Machiavelli's vision of the ideal man, while similar to both Alberti and Castiglione in that he espouses all the strong foundations that make a man great-education, dedication, etc.- is very different in that he actually advocates abandaning virtue if the need of the state transcends morality. Here he is far removed from Castig. and even more pragmatic than Alberti.
In many ways Machiavelli is making the most abrupt and astonishing departue from medieval beliefs.

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: : There are many similarities to Alberti's, Castiglione's, and Machiavelli's definition of the ideal renassance man/woman. He must be highly educated, highly skilled in many talents, noble, and above all very dedicated to any worthwhile pursuit he undertakes. However, there are also many differences in each writers respective visions. : Alberti's on the family is written as a how to when raising a family. In it he stresses the importance of an education, and more importantly the need for industry and hard work. He also makes the decidedly renaissance claim that men are here on earth to derive happiness from their pursuits. Going further on this point he attempts to justify the profession of making money-and although he doesn't glorify the act-he still considers it worthy and beyond reproach. : Albertis text is marked by a sense of realism. It could almost pass as a middle-class advice column. It also doesnt abandon the notion that God is still the ultimate measuring rod, and advises men to live not only for earthly rewards. : Unlike Alberti, Castiglione's "The Courtier"-also a picture of the ideal man- takes a less realistic stance. The ideal man according to Castiglione must be profeccient in arms, moreover he must be the perfect size and body shape. Here Castiglione differs from Alberti and Castiglione in his romantic vision of the perfect man who must be blessed from birth- not from his own diligence. Also, according to Castiglione- the renaissance man must be highly athletic, a intelligent charismatic speaker, amd possess the best manners. Once again many characteristics that Castiglione's man must have-including the perfect voice and other vain little nuances of presentation- are seemingly unattainable and unrealistic. : Machiavelli's vision of the ideal man, while similar to both Alberti and Castiglione in that he espouses all the strong foundations that make a man great-education, dedication, etc.- is very different in that he actually advocates abandaning virtue if the need of the state transcends morality. Here he is far removed from Castig. and even more pragmatic than Alberti. : In many ways Machiavelli is making the most abrupt and astonishing departue from medieval beliefs.

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