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Galateo
Il Galateo di Giovanni Della Casa è uno dei libri più pubblicati e tradotti in tutta la storia della letteratura italiana, sì da farne uno dei classici della cultura europea. Certamente conta l’intreccio di sapienza umanistica (soprattutto la lezione pedagogica di Erasmo) e di colloquialità quotidiana, ma anche una certa ambiguità che cela, sotto la veste di supremo ordine classico, tonalità comiche e paradossali. Su quest’ultimo punto in particolare scava con perizia il commento di Stefano Prandi, che mostra come il Della Casa ammicchi al Burchiello e al Berni, giochi sui doppi sensi, insomma si diverta a fare il precettore con molta ironia e pochissima pedanteria. Il testo torna così alla sua originaria ricchezza, spesso minacciata, nel corso dei secoli, da interpretazioni troppo ovvie e moralistiche.
132 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1558
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 16, 2018
Ai tempi della pubblicazione - avvenuta nel 1558 - e nei secoli successivi il Galateo di Giovanni Della Casa appariva come un trattato comportamentale il cui messaggio di fondo era un conformismo smodato verso i dettami della società di fine Cinquecento. L’autore veste i panni di un precettore che vuole educare un giovane alle buone maniere, spiegando cosa sia lecito non fare per conquistare una reputazione rispettabile. Oggi - alla luce di recenti studi e in un’ottica moderna - il Galateo appare permeato da una pungente ironia che anima l’intera opera e che ci induce a riflettere sui contenuti. Se - in passato - Della Casa fu reputato pedante e succube del suo tempo (era, inoltre, un ecclesiastico), oggi potrebbe essere considerato un sovversivo e il suo Galateo - alleggerito dalla sua caratterizzazione prescrittiva - potrebbe fungere da monito per ricostruire, nella nostra quotidianità, un’etica e un’educazione che sembra essere - oramai - fuori moda.
È ancora forte l’influsso delle teorie di Pietro Bembo.
È ancora forte l’influsso delle teorie di Pietro Bembo.
December 8, 2025
I read this because Burckhardt mentions it as an example of a cultural production unique to the Italian Renaissance, and that it, among other things, is a good example of the greater social sophistication of Italian culture compared to northern Europe. It is well written, funny, and a pleasure to read. It could be compared to Dale Carnegie's famous book. The difference is that Della Casa is not advising on how to make friends but simply how to be graceful rather than odious or unpleasant in society generally. For example, he makes funny comments about not deliberately 'trying too hard' by out dressing the people in your town. He is also extremely concerned with cleanliness and never inspiring a disgusting thought in others, so much so that he advises washing hands in private (so others don't have to think about what you are washing off your hands).
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August 4, 2025audibly laughed multiple times
August 6, 2018
Galateo was a bit of an afterthought. Written by Giovanni Della Casa near the end of a life of democracy and scholarly pursuit, it was designed as advice for his nephew and published posthumously. It became a bestseller around the world and spread ideas of politeness.
What makes the book great is that it’s not a particularly polite book. M.F Rusnak translates it into a very jocular text, not afraid to use sharp or impolite language to call out the impoliteness of others. At one point he describes people yearning to speak and missing the point like ‘a dog in eagerness missing a hare’. It’s a grouch’s book, and a very entertaining one at that.
Once of the things I found most interesting was to apply the lessons of Galateo into modern culture. ‘No man should boast of his intelligence’ says Della Casa - someone should tell the denizens of Twitter. The section in chapter 11 about how tedious it is hearing stories of the hilarious things their children say should apply to Facebook. The admonishment that ‘drinking is not an accomplishment’ could be given to anyone describing their ‘crazy’ night out.
The chapters on jokes may also be useful to those navigating the modern web. The reminder that if people aren’t laughing, maybe it is because the teller isn’t funny would apply to a great many Youtube channels. The reminder that wit should have ‘the bite of a sheep rather than a dg’ may also help some of those people who think being nasty and funny are the same thing.
Politeness has a bad name now, it’s seen as a thin veneer on people’s true thoughts but I think it really does have a place. That empty politeness is recognised by Della Casa as like ‘a rotten fruit’ but the true politeness of thinking of others and fitting out mode to a situation seem like perfectly useful concepts.
On less solid ground are the moments when he recommends doing what everyone else is because they are doing it. ‘Do what is done, not what should be done for it is better to blunder with others then be good by yourself.’ That could be the route to some unpleasant results I think.
That besides, we are living in such an argumentative world now, with people going out of their way to offend and others to be offended. A little more social polish can’t be a bad thing in such times.
And remember, ‘laugh out of need, not habit’.
What makes the book great is that it’s not a particularly polite book. M.F Rusnak translates it into a very jocular text, not afraid to use sharp or impolite language to call out the impoliteness of others. At one point he describes people yearning to speak and missing the point like ‘a dog in eagerness missing a hare’. It’s a grouch’s book, and a very entertaining one at that.
Once of the things I found most interesting was to apply the lessons of Galateo into modern culture. ‘No man should boast of his intelligence’ says Della Casa - someone should tell the denizens of Twitter. The section in chapter 11 about how tedious it is hearing stories of the hilarious things their children say should apply to Facebook. The admonishment that ‘drinking is not an accomplishment’ could be given to anyone describing their ‘crazy’ night out.
The chapters on jokes may also be useful to those navigating the modern web. The reminder that if people aren’t laughing, maybe it is because the teller isn’t funny would apply to a great many Youtube channels. The reminder that wit should have ‘the bite of a sheep rather than a dg’ may also help some of those people who think being nasty and funny are the same thing.
Politeness has a bad name now, it’s seen as a thin veneer on people’s true thoughts but I think it really does have a place. That empty politeness is recognised by Della Casa as like ‘a rotten fruit’ but the true politeness of thinking of others and fitting out mode to a situation seem like perfectly useful concepts.
On less solid ground are the moments when he recommends doing what everyone else is because they are doing it. ‘Do what is done, not what should be done for it is better to blunder with others then be good by yourself.’ That could be the route to some unpleasant results I think.
That besides, we are living in such an argumentative world now, with people going out of their way to offend and others to be offended. A little more social polish can’t be a bad thing in such times.
And remember, ‘laugh out of need, not habit’.
February 17, 2022
Published in Venice in 1558. A guide to what one should do and avoid in ordinary social life, this courtesy book of the Renaissance explores subjects such as dress, table manners, and conversation. It became so popular that the title, which refers to the name of one of the author’s distinguished friends, entered into the Italian language as a general term for social etiquette.
Della Casa addresses gentlemanly citizens who wish to convey a winning and attractive image. With a casual style and dry humor, he writes about everyday concerns, from posture to telling jokes to table manners.
Della Casa addresses gentlemanly citizens who wish to convey a winning and attractive image. With a casual style and dry humor, he writes about everyday concerns, from posture to telling jokes to table manners.
March 30, 2026
Un libro con due chiavi di lettura differenti. La prima, più superficiale, sì un trattato sul come e sul perché ci si debba comportare in pubblico.
La seconda, e meno palese, credo una critica a tante di questi usi, costumi e maniere tipiche del tempo, ingabbiando eccessivamente le persone e privandole della propria espressione personale.
Sottolineato dal fatto che il Casa, seppur membro dell'alto clero post rinascimentale con ottimi rapporti nell'alta società romana ed italiana, anelasse alla quiete ed alla privatezza del contado, così impossibili per lui da ottenere e mantenere.
La seconda, e meno palese, credo una critica a tante di questi usi, costumi e maniere tipiche del tempo, ingabbiando eccessivamente le persone e privandole della propria espressione personale.
Sottolineato dal fatto che il Casa, seppur membro dell'alto clero post rinascimentale con ottimi rapporti nell'alta società romana ed italiana, anelasse alla quiete ed alla privatezza del contado, così impossibili per lui da ottenere e mantenere.
June 1, 2021
L'ho trovato un romanzo utile per comprendere la società dell'epoca in cui lo scrittore a vissuto. Talvolta osservazioni che sono entrate nel quotidiano (come lavarsi le mani prima di venire a tavola), ti rendi conto che qualche tempo fa non erano azioni così banali. Ciò ti fa sorridere, ma anche riflettere sulla società odierna, dove piccoli semplici gesti di civiltà non risultano ancora così diffusi.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2019
Il libro insegna l'arte della modestia, del controllo di sé e forse del conformismo che se però assunto in piccole dosi consente di connettersi con i nostri coevi: è come mettersi d'accordo sulle basi della grammatica per poter parlare di idee, fatti e sentimenti, un suolo livellato per poterci camminare sopra.
February 21, 2022
Spesso citato senza un nesso preciso con quella che è l'opera originale: ebbene, dal "Galateo" di Giovanni della Casa non aspettatevi chissà quali norme sconosciute da seguire in pubblico, ma più consigli come "Non si vuole anco, soffiato che tu ti sarai il naso, aprire il moccichino e guatarvi entro, come se perle o rubini ti dovessero esser discesi dal cielabro".
September 21, 2023
3 stelle su 5
Un trattatello senza infamia né lode sulle buone maniere, con qualche piccola difficoltà a livello linguistico (italiano del '500), che però si lascia leggere abbastanza agevolmente e presenta molti tratti comici.
Non è particolarmente entusiasmante e non lascia pressoché nulla nel lettore, però ok.
Un trattatello senza infamia né lode sulle buone maniere, con qualche piccola difficoltà a livello linguistico (italiano del '500), che però si lascia leggere abbastanza agevolmente e presenta molti tratti comici.
Non è particolarmente entusiasmante e non lascia pressoché nulla nel lettore, però ok.
May 16, 2017
A delightful read. He's occasionally quite snarky and his general principles are consistent with current thinking on politeness.
The Epilogue of this edition provides a helpful overview of manners books that followed his, particularly English.
The Epilogue of this edition provides a helpful overview of manners books that followed his, particularly English.
May 10, 2025
Nearly all these rules of decorum are just as relevant ~500 years later. Funny too. I’d recommend making sure to find a translation in modern English. The second one I tried was translated by Rusnak which was excellent
August 28, 2022
Ironico e breve. Poi vabbe è italiano del '500 quindi ogni tanto bisogna rileggere qualcosa. Una lettura simpatica però, che ho apprezzato
December 15, 2022
An excellent and early guide to proper conduct in society.
August 21, 2024
Un libro di cui tutti ne hanno bisogno
November 15, 2025
Don't spit at the table, and if you absolutely MUST at least have the decency to use a spittoon.
September 17, 2014
I would recommend this for a scholar of the Renaissance. I just read this for a graduate level class focusing on gender and sexuality in literature during the Renaissance. Although the writing is not what I look for in a book it offers an invaluable lens in which to better understand the early modern period with and the many nuances of social expectations which existed within the Renaissance. This book reads as instructions for a young man or middle aged man to either socially climb into a better class or maintain class status of the time. It spells out many of the various expectations which were prevalent of the Renaissance. More for the academic, less for the pleasure read.
July 21, 2014
"...i modi piacevoli sono quelli che porgon diletto o almeno non recano noia ad alcuno de' sentimenti, né all'appetito né all'immaginazion di coloro co' quali noi usiamo..."
Non crediate che sia di una noia mortale, è scritto bene, e a tratti molto ironico. Seppure non giusto in ogni sua parte, o antiquanto in certe, è una lettura fondamentale. Oggi più che mai, dove la maleducazione e il cattivo gusto regnano sovrani.
Non crediate che sia di una noia mortale, è scritto bene, e a tratti molto ironico. Seppure non giusto in ogni sua parte, o antiquanto in certe, è una lettura fondamentale. Oggi più che mai, dove la maleducazione e il cattivo gusto regnano sovrani.
September 6, 2012
An entertaining look at the etiquette of Renaissance Italy, this guidebook on proper polite behavior for the time holds advice that could still be relevant for today, as well as some entertaining moments with silly ideas on what is or is not proper. This book is a quick read at 61 pages.
Want to Read
November 28, 2013NYT review by Miss Manners http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/02/boo...
More on Renaissance-era manners http://www.medievalists.net/2013/11/2...
More on Renaissance-era manners http://www.medievalists.net/2013/11/2...
August 23, 2013
File this under 'books I've read because of video games.' The game: Assassin's Creed II.
July 28, 2014
Some gems here, especially about flattery. Repetitive in a few places.
August 18, 2014
A refreshingly funny new translation, but the author probably should have refrained himself from being rude about the Americans in the intro.
August 24, 2014
Logical, funny, to-the-point. Tedious at times though, and needs paragraph breaks.
October 25, 2015
This seems to be an excellent -- and faithful -- translation, with informative endnotes.
June 29, 2026
3 e mezzo
October 9, 2009
Everyone should read this book.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews