y other gracious quality, they are in her," plays a small but clearly important role in "The Courtier." She was the Duchess at the Court of Urbino, where Castiglione spent many of his happiest years. Her death in 1526 caused a flood of nostalgia for Castiglione, and caused him to more seriously consider publishing his book. Vittoria Colonna, a dear friend of Castiglione's, basically forced him into publishing "The Courtier" after she circulated a number of manuscripts he had entrusted to her. His wife Ippolita and his mother Albisa Gonzaga were also both very dear to him and were very helpful editors for his manuscripts. Castiglione's distrust of men again arises with the discussion of love. He warns his Court lady to be modest and very careful of the onslaught of false and insincere lovers with which she would surely be faced. He advises that she should hold out for a courtier of similar grace and virtue to herself, with whom she could be sure to have an honest and fulfilling love. Interestingly, Castiglione does not go to the trouble of teaching the courtier how to love as he has the Court lady. The discussion on the Court lady in "The Courtier" is important because it gives valuable insight into Renaissance views and expectations of women. It also gives some very interesting insight into Castiglione himself, who emerges from it as a fierce defender and liberator of women in an age rife with chauvinism. Through "The Courtier" Castiglione intelligently and logically attempted to bring real change to the status quo of women, but unfortunately it was impossible for his message to be widely circulated and as a result probably had only a limited effect on a select few people. ...
