"The Book of the Courtier" and the Oration on the Dignity of Man"

1. "Admiration for Greek and Roman political institutions supported a revival of civic humanist culture in Italian city-states and produced secular models for individual and political behavior." Based on your reading of "The Book of the Courtier" explain how Castiglione's writing might exemplify this statement. Give evidence from the text to support your claim.

       Castiglione's writing might reflect this statement because his writing is speculation on what the ideal Courtier would be like, and his speculation includes that the Courtier should be beneficial to the society of his city. He says, "... and in his outward aspect give promise of whatever is worthy the society and favor of every great lord." (pg. 405) This goes along with the ideal of civic humanist culture because it is putting value on how the social aspect of the Courtier's position. Castiglione also shows an ideal of a secular model for political behavior in that he says the Courtier should be nobly born. He writes, "I wish, then, that this Courtier of ours should be nobly born and of gentle race; because it is far less unseemly for one of ignoble birth to fail in worthy deeds." (pg. 404) This shows his value not on the divine power in the Courtier, as might've been valued in previous times, but now in the secular value of status at birth and social position.
      

2. "Italian Renaissance Humanist promoted a revival in classical literature and created new approaches to ancient texts. Some Renaissance humanists furthered the values of secularism and individualism." Based on your reading of "Oration on the Dignity of Man", explain how Della Mirandola's treatise might exemplify this statement. Give evidence from the text in support of your claim.

       Della Mirandola's treatise exemplifies this statement because a common theme that can be found in his writing is the great chain of being. The great chain of being is a Renaissance worldview that gives a universal order to all creature and creators, so it is very individualistic and secular. Mirandola exemplifies this in many places in his writing. He says, "All was now complete; all things had been assigned to the highest, the middle, and the lowest orders." This shows his belief in the great chain of being as his worldview. He also says, "He therefore took man as a creature of intermediate nature, and assigning him a place in the middle of the world." This shows his view of where man fits into the great chain of being, which again supports the view of secularism and individualism.