The Book of the Courtier

The Book of the Courtier concludes with an ironic comment from Emilia Pia, an outspoken defender of women: “On condition that Signor Gaspare should want to criticize women and slander them in his usual manner he shall give his bond to stand trial, for I will arraign him as a fugitive from justice” (1).

The court devotes an entire evening (around a quarter of The Book of the Courtier) to defining the perfect female courtier—the perfect foil to her male counterpart. The courtiers proclaim that she should be prudent, discreet, kind in her mannerisms, as well as exemplify grace in all her actions. Physical beauty is also important, more necessary for a female than a male courtier.

Consequently, just like a male courtier’s, a female courtier’s identity is performative. Countering the aspersions cast at women by Signor Gaspare, Cesare Gonzaga delivers the following diatribe on women’s integral role within the court:

No court, however great it be, can have any sightliness or brightness in it, without women, nor any courtier can be gracious, pleasant or hardy, nor at any time undertake any gallant enterprise of chivalry unless he be stirred with the conversation and with the love and contention of women.