Courtier’s Ideal in Spanish Literature: Its Ascent and Decline [thesis]

This study traces the life ideals of the Spanish "caballero" of the Sixteenth Century as they appear first in Montalvo's Amadís de Gaula and later in II Corteglano of Castiglione. The first chapter studies Amadís' knightly ideal and explores the question of whether Montalvo's text can be properly considered a "courtesy book." The second chapter focuses on the Courtier and Castiglione's idea of the courtly gentleman relative to Montalvo's chivalric ideal. It also appraises what new perspectives and attitudes are at the center of Castiglione's view of "cortegianla" and how these elements are reflected in other Spanish courtesy books subsequent to the Courtier's arrival and publication in Spain. Chapter III deals with the theme of courtiership in Don Quljote and with Cervantes' attitude toward the courtier's Pursuits, aspirations, and life-style. Finally, the fourth chapter analyzes, through the study of selected works of Calderon and Gracian, certain problems of self-perception, moral conscience, and outlook that distinguish the ideal man of the baroque age, as envisioned by these authors, from his renaissance counterpart. On the whole, the study points to the gradual change and process of secularization of the courtier's ideal during the sixteenth and seventeenth century and to the decline of traditional thought and myths about class limitations and human potential.