Machiavelli vs. Castiglione Essay example

Ideas on the same topic always seem to differ from person to person. This holds true to the ideas of Machiavelli and Castiglione. The Prince, written by Machiavelli, and The Courtier, written by Castiglione, are both somewhat how-to guides for nobility, royalty, and princes. However, there are many distinct differences among the ideas of Castiglione and Machiavelli. Castiglione's philosophy leads down the path of a well-rounded person; a more peaceful manner. Machiavelli's philosophy is more straightforward and violent, where you should do anything and everything you have to do in order to achieve your goal. Both books and figures were of great importance to society.
Machiavelli's philosophy was that "The end justifies the means." This …show more content…
And herein I think the chief point is to handle well a kind of weapon both for footman and horseman, and to know the vantages in it." He was also expected to be able to hunt, swim, and play tennis. Hunting was important because it had almost the same nature as war. "And of them methinks hunting is one of the chiefest, for it hath a certain likeness with war, and truly a pastime for great men, and fit for one living in court." Swimming was another important factor in a way such that if he were to encounter a problem during war, he would able to handle it. "It is meet for him to also have the art of swimming, to leap, to run, to cast the stone; for besides the profit that he may receive of this in the wars, it happeneth to him many times to make proof of himself in such things, whereby he getteth him a reputation, especially among the multitude, unto whom a man must sometime apply himself." Tennis would allow the person to achieve qualities valuable to war. "Also it is a noble exercise and meet for one living in court to play at tennis, where the disposition of the body, the quickness and nimbleness of every member, is much perceived, and almost whatsoever a man can see in all other exercises." He would also have to have high intelligence, along with reserved manners. Castiglione's philosophy was more reserved, where the courtier would have to be good looking, intelligent, and physically capable.
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