G r a z i a N a p o l i
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The name of the characters are invented by the author and they symbolize the moral qualities of the character or their situation in that moment. So we haven’t historical elements to identify them.
In other similar works as Il libro del cortigiano di Baldassarre Castiglione, for example, the characters are historical or literary.
M.A.Scott and the D.N.B. think that Philoxenus nay be Giraldi Cinthio but it is a supposition, only. Whetstone gives us a few elements to identify his main character and his palace. He describes a Coat of Arms and reports a motto. The coat of arms represents a bird among the branches and under a motto in Arcaic French “Qui me nourit me destruit”.
In the Enciclopedia storuico-nobiliare italiana there isn’t this coat of arms. Philoxenus is a gentleman who admires England and its Queen; has been educated at a French Court, among Protestant men and surrounds himdelf with foreigners gentlemen ad ladies.
Ismarito is invited to remain and to be a member of the group.
He’ll be the Knight of Queen Aurelia, sister of Philoxenus and regularly elected queen of the festivities: the guests cut a cake and give to her a particular piece.
The Queen proclaims his laws and then she and other guests decided to establish some arguments for discussions. Each character has an argument to treat according to his state. For example, Ismarito is a bachelor, so he’ll speak about single life in the first day’s discussion.
Whetstone gives us a Summary of the principal arguments which will be treated during the seven days of exercises.
Italian culture in Aurelia
The Italian culture of the Renaissance emerges from the text by Whetstone which we are considering, in many way.
The main element is the setting of the scene at an Italian Court of the period. Probably the author visited many courts during his journey in Italy and was able to know manners, customs, and courtesy of them.
|
|
|
|
|
|