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When eleven-year-old Lavinia Guasca began her new life as a lady-in-waiting at the court of Turin, she brought with her a parting gift from her father Annibal (1540-1619): a detailed guidebook he wrote to help steer her through the many pitfalls of court life. Lavinia had her fathers "Discourse" published in 1586; this English translation is the first version published in any form since that time.The "Discourse" displays an incredibly far-sighted view of womens education. Annibal thought gifted young girls should develop their talents and apply them to careers outside the home. In the "Discourse," he details the unique and extremely rigorous educational program to which he had subjected Lavinia almost from the cradle with this end in mind. To complete Lavinias education, Annibal filled the "Discourse" with advice on spirituality and morality, health and beauty, and how to behave at court--everything a well-bred lady-in-waiting would need to know. This edition also includes an appendix that traces the later events of Lavinias life through excerpts from her fathers letters.
About the author
Peggy Osborn is a senior lecturer (retired) in Italian Renaissance literature at the University of Bristol. She is the author of "G. B. Giraldi's Altile: The Birth of a New Dramatic Genre in Renaissance Ferrara."
Summary
This English translation of the "Discourse" is the first version published in any form since 1586. It displays an incredibly far-sighted view of women's education, with advice on spirituality, morality, health and beauty required by a well-bred lady-in-waiting.
