Looking for a Renaissance Man?

Long before the hopelessly self-absorbed metrosexual role model was manufactured by Madison Avenue, other codes of conduct defined the male sex. In response to the increasing frequency of barbarism and feudal wars during the Middle Ages, for example, the Church instituted a code of Christian conduct for knights. This code was called chivalry.

Knights were the soldiers of the time, and expected to be honorable and courageous. They were entrusted to protect the weak and innocent, and to defend the rights of the Church throughout Christendom and beyond, as this anonymous poem illustrates:

Sir Bevis supported the widow’s cause

And upheld the orphan’s claim &#0151

Did good, but never for man’s applause,

For little he sought for fame.

When his most bitter foe he found

Bleeding upon the plain,

His thirst he quenched and his wounds he bound,

And brought him to life again.

Gentle in peace as brave in fight,

Was not Sir Bevis a Christian knight?

From 1300 to 1550, much of Europe experienced what we think of today as the Renaissance, the rebirth of Greek and Roman classical culture. During this time, much emphasis was placed on individual achievement in arts and sciences rather than on an army column’s performance on the battlefield. Because of this individualism, a greater emphasis was placed on beauty and manners. The Renaissance man wanted, more than anything, to be recognized as a gentleman, the contemporary manifestation of the chivalrous knight. There was honor to defend and women to impress &#0151 and it all had to be done in the proper manner.

Drawing on the medieval code of chivalry, countless books were devoted to the subject of education, conduct, politeness, and propriety &#0151 primarily because many crude men had risen to positions of wealth and power through commercial or military means. All searched for the easiest way to become genteel.

The most important book on the subject was Castiglione’s The Courtier, published in 1528. It set the pattern for gentlemanly conduct not only for its own time, but future generations as well. Castiglione divided his advice into four main categories.

The first and foremost piece of advice for the Renaissance gentleman, was that his conduct ought not be governed by his own fancy. Rather, he ought to consider the feelings of those whose company he keeps, especially when courting. “For instance,” writes Castiglione, “when you have blown your nose, you should not open your handkerchief and inspect it, as though pearls or rubies had dropped out of your skull.” Gentlemen are reminded that such behavior is “nauseating,” and more likely to lose him the affection of those who may otherwise be keen on getting to know him better.

Table manners is the second topic of concern for Castiglione. The relationship between man and food has not always been a flattering one. It is here in the dining room that a man’s refinement &#0151 or lack thereof &#0151 is most obviously on display. Not a few gents through the ages have committed unsightly gaffes through force of impolite habits.

A few tips:

&#8226 Don’t gobble your food so greedily, Castiglione warns, as to give yourself hiccups or “some other unpleasantness;”

&#8226 Don’t fill both sides of your mouth so full with food that your cheeks are bloated;

&#8226 Don’t clean your teeth with your napkin, and still worse, don’t do it with your finger.

Finally, Castiglione instructs, “when you rise from the table do not carry your toothpick in your mouth like a bird making its nest, or behind your ear.”

In the category of “personal propriety,” the Renaissance man was given a number of rules of thumb:

&#8226 Do not indulge in foolish presumption;

&#8226 Do not endeavor to be the bearer of bad news;

&#8226 Do not be careless in speaking words which can offend;

&#8226 Do not be obstinate or contentious;

&#8226 Do not make a profession of contradicting everyone;

&#8226 Do not be “an idler or lying babbler nor a boaster or inept flatterer;” and

&#8226 Be modest and reserved.

Castiglione’s final bit of instruction comes by way of the chessboard. He admits the game of chess is a “pleasing and ingenious amusement.” But, he warns, it also has one serious defect: It is possible to have too much knowledge of it, so that whoever would excel in the game must devote a great deal of time to it &#0151 “as much study as if he would learn some noble science or perform well anything of importance.” For all his pains, the author adds, the great chess player only knows how to play a game: “Thus, I think a very unusual thing happens in this, namely that mediocrity in chess is more to be praised than excellence.”

Some of this advice appears on the humorous side to us today, but great points are made all around. Castiglione was promoting the virtues, a striking contrast to today’s dandyish narcissist, who is in love with no one but himself.

Michael S. Rose is married with five well-mannered children. He is author of several books including Benedict XVI: The Man Who Was Ratzinger, available now from Spence Publishing.

This article has been re-published with written authorization of Catholic Match, LLC.

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