GALATEO ON MANNERS. THE RULES OF CIVILITY BY GIOVANNI DELLA CASA, 1558

Text topic: (Lack Of) Culture

Text author: Ангелина Милосављевић

The rules of civility (the popular books on manners) may serve as reflections on the principles that shape everyday life of a society, offering codes of conduct to its members. Such was, possibly the first such modern book, Giovanni della Casa’s “Galateo” of 1558, in which the author dealt with the bad habits that were to be overcome if one wished to be considered a gentleman. “Galateo” did not represent a set of propositions meant for successful service at a princely court, such as Castiglione’s “Cortegiano”. It was written, instead, as a set of rules, which one was to follow as an active and civilized member of a republican society. “Galateo” focused on those models of conduct that represented basis for the definition of civility which understands the existence of cultural habits that are still considered positive and welcome, focusing on politeness, respect and consideration for others we are so much in the need of today.