The whole idea of the courtier as an object that is constructed comes with the question of what can be the purpose of such construction. This is where the serious Ottaviano bluntly states that the end purpose of the courtier is to win over the trust of the prince. The courtier always has the option to waste his time in trivial things or invest his time in winning the confidence of the prince that can help him to be an honest advisor in the long term. Castiglione’s book four of his text, The Book of the Courtier showcases Ottaviano among other speakers envisaging the new role of the courtier as an honest advisor to the prince.
The prince is a repository of unbridled power , always surrounded by friends who would rather flatter for the fear of falling out of favour. Since the prince, who might be a new prince ,acquires the absolute power when there is no training as such, therefore, it is the responsibility of the courtier to channelise the power to moderation and welfare of the state in general. The prince is as good as a blank slate and whether he is motivated to be good or evilly arrogant and conceited, that depends on the courtier. On one hand , the courtier safe keeps the power of the prince and on the other hand, he guards the natural bent of the prince’s disposition to yield to corruption. Hence, to a certain extent Cesare Gonzaga might be right when he compares the courtier in his advisor’s role to that of the schoolmaster.
In the Ciceronian style of Castiglione, this descriptive work further goes into analyzing how the courtier can be an adept advisor in developing the disposition and positively influencing intentions of the prince. Ottaviano brings in the examples of ideal courtiers like Federico and Count Lodovico whose virtues did not make them ‘’good and praiseworthy’’ only for themselves but also for their purpose towards general welfare of the state. As he further states, that a courtier has to win the prince’s confidence enough to have the courage to oppose the latter’s unworthy decisions when necessary. With the virtues that the courtier has procured over the years he should have the power and respect to make the prince realize the consequences of his actions born out of his vices that might result in the infamy of his royal and honourable family. One of the courtier’s main aim as an advisor should be to protect the prince’s mind from the influence of flatterers and all those who seek to deceive him. A courtier who has such an aim besides his unmatched knowledge in the distinction between good and evil can be safely relied as one who tries to achieve ‘’the best end of all’’.
The basic problem with a young prince is that he does not have any one to guide him in to doing what is right. Those who are there are always to scared of being punished if they end up criticizing any action or decision of the prince. The prince’s friends quickly turn from being honest friends to flatterers as they try to win his favour by agreeing with all his decisions. This further abets his ignorance about himself and gives birth to arrogance and conceit which becomes difficult to oppose later by honest and sincere well-wishers. On reading this section of Book IV , one might feel that Castiglione slips into focusing more on the prince than the courtier’s role in the prince’s life. However, as we read further , it becomes clearer that perhaps Castiglione allows the courtiers of Urbino’s court to engage in presenting the multifarious aspects of the prince and his world only to prove how and why the courtier is necessary as an advisor.
The courtier should aid the prince in his ‘’goodness and wisdom ’’as he strives to work as a devoted servant of God for the benefit of mankind on the earth. Castiglione seems to believe that if the subjects are good then the ruler is bound to be good and there can be an all round development of the state. Ottaviano states that the virtues are necessary not just because of the consequences they have that are beneficial and should be imparted to the prince but also because some of them are necessary in times of war and other crisis. To exemplify this , he talks of fortitude that is necessary as a virtue during war since it robs the soul of emotions that garners fear and awareness of loss and danger. However Signor Gonzaga refutes this by asking if much of significance is laid on the ‘’good education’’ of the prince then what should be the mode of the courtier as an advisor and instructor. Gonzaga’s question is about whether the mode employed by the courtier be one of casual tone conveyed in a manner that the prince understands it indirectly or should it be directly conveyed during some kind of argument justifying the distinctions between good and evil. He also asks if the courtier as an advisor should employ the sheer art of practice to instruct the prince or engage himself in arguments of various theories to convey the right path to the prince. In reply , the slightly irated Ottaviano confirms that the practice should be followed by an attempt to govern the instincts that cannot be deciphered by reason.
Magnifico Guiliano questions the theory of how can the courtier instruct the prince to be excellent if he is not more dignified and better than the prince in terms of dignity. Considering that there might be an age difference between the prince and the courtier it might be difficult for the courtier to relate to prince in his accomplishments. In case of sports for example, the courtier cannot go out of his way to accomplish in the field of sports and also cannot engage himself in the merrymaking that the prince involves himself in. In answer to Guiliano’s point of view, Ottaviano clarifies that the courtier’s instructions cannot solely make a prince. They are supposed to aid the nobility of character and the royalty of disposition embedded within the prince. Giving the example of whetstone , Ottaviano justifies that the courtier introduces the various virtues to the prince but cannot be expected to become greater than the prince in terms of virtue. As an advisor it is not fair to undermine his capabilities as an advisor to the prince because of this since his intentions are noble and serve the purpose of his knowledge, learning and abilities. It is indeed his way of serving the state by aiding the prince into the path of virtues and deterring him from yielding to the temptations of vices.
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