The court society structures itself with power by gathering around the ruler. This is done in order to solidify the hierarchy of royalty, nobility, and the upper classes and to keep the aristocracy both subordinate and close to the ruler so that he could keep an eye on them. The court serves power in many ways but most of all it glorifies the ruler. Mimicry was one important aspect; one wrong move would spell death or exile on a courtier. A courtier must successfully imitate the actions of his master; what the master does, the courtier must follow. A successful courtier had to walk a tightrope, pleasing but not much and obeying but somehow distinguishing himself from other courtiers.
Great courtiers throughout history have mastered the science of manipulating people, they make every one else fear their power. However, they are modest and talk less about themselves and instead admire the good work of others. Most importantly, they always make their masters look better. Courtiers also are experts of the word as they never say anything more than necessary. Moreover, they can disguise their anger and frustration. Perfect courtiers are magnets of pleasure—people want to be around them because they know how to please. They are sources of charm and they provide the promise of delight.
It is often difficult to satisfy the master, but to satisfy two in one stroke takes the genius of an excellent courtier. One great example is Jean-Baptiste Isabey. Isabey found a way to grant the requests of two masters, Talleyrand the negotiator of the French and the Duke of Wellington. Both masters had asked Isabey for them to be highlighted on the center stage of an epic painting—an epic painting to immortalize historical events after Napoleon was defeated and imprisoned, held during the Congress of Vienna. When the painting was unveiled, both the masters were satisfied and honored. A large hall filled with diplomats and politicians were on the painting. On one side the Duke of Wellington enters the room and all eyes are turned toward him and on the very center sits Talleyrand.
A man who knows the court is a master of his gestures, of his eyes and of his face. He thrives in a world where everything revolves around political power and dexterity. Learn and apply the laws of courtiership and there will be no limit to how far you can rise in the court.
Czarina Kathryne Masagca
Hi18-L
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17 comments:
i loved your example of Jean-Baptiste Isabey. It's occasions like those, sucking up to two masters without having one of them get mad at you that really show how good a "courtier" someone is.
But of course, some people think that even trying to serve two people is dangerous enough.Getting caught not being 100% loyal to one master can ruin your relationship with both.
LUKE: "No servant can serve two masters, because either he will hate one and love the other, or be loyal to one and despise the other."
monica ang, L
it seems like courtiers are experts in terms of dealing with other people. they can manage to be on the good side of others.
in your example, you mentioned of a courtier that was successfully able to serve to people at once. just like what monica said, it is dangerous to be serving two people at once because you fail to show who you are truly loyal too. they might even make you choose a side so that it will be clear who you are really serving. but in your example, the courtier was amazingly able to serve both masters at the same time. this just goes to show that that courtier was extremely talented and sure of his actions/self. in the end, it was the courtier that triumphed.
-Philip Albert T. Verde
Hi18 K
Being a courtier seems a really tough job...Is it really possible for a person to do what this law states? A person must know how to perfectly manipulate people, and more importantly, to manipulate his own actions, gestures, etc. My only problem with this law is, if you aspire to be on top, how will you do it? you are serving some other ruler, so if you are just going to obey that ruler, how will you rise to the top? (just a thought..)
Oh, and about this line: "Perfect courtiers are magnets of pleasure—people want to be around them because they know how to please...
I guess Bill Cosby was wrong in saying this quote: "I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” If a courtier does try to please people (but not much, as was said in the post), won't he end up worn out? and what will he again from that, other than favor? how will that help him rise in court? Won't that cause others to be jealous of him instead of be pleased with him? You still can't please everybody...
Chris Macalinao
Hi18 - L
Sounds like there’s a dire need for an extremely careful and proper calculation in becoming a perfect courtier. You've said it all.
@ Chris: You were wondering if aspiring to be on top is actually possible if your main goal is to serve someone else...hmmmm....Well, I think just because you're off to serving the master doesn't mean that it's not going to work for your advantage. The very fact that you're thinking of ways to please your master, making things work out for him, manipulating his enemies hands you a tough but meaningful experience. And apparently, that's going to teach you a lot. When the time comes, and the opportunity to become a master knocks at your door, then your familiarity with the art of manipulating and imposing your power will be very easy as we speak.
In the words of the mighty Barack Obama, I quote: "Yes, we can (do it )." :D
Chua Rojas, Serica
Hi18 - L
A good courtier must be THE ultimate people pleaser. From what I have long known, no one can please everyone else. So for a courtier to please two masters-- well, that's really something.
It's just mind-boggling that a courtier has to go through an excruciatingly tedious time just so he could be classified as a "good courtier". It's like he has to anylyze his every move and make sure that he's doing everything correctly just so he'd be worthy of a title.
My only query is: would all of it be worthy in the end?
Monica Copuyoc
Hi18- L
The Marquis de Pompadour was a hated courtier. She tried hard to please everyone (and she was succesful with Louis XV) but ended up hated by other courtiers and members of the royal court.
To answer to Ms. Copuyoc's question above, I think it's worth it only if you're willing to take a big risk. Playing the role of a perfect courtier is immensely difficult, and with the example I gave above, playing the role of courtier can sometimes leave you underappreciated or even hated.
Chio Cebrero
Hi 18 L
For me, it is really possible to please two masters at the same time. It's like joining in two different organizations in which you are active in both. You do different activities and assume different tasks in the organizations. You do have two "masters" to cater to. You may not please them at the same time but then you can do so in the course of time.
Rhea Entuna
section L
I'd prefer to think that the perfect courtier that is being discussed here is not so perfect after all. If this were true, one would be so anchored to one's master, that when, not if, that master falls, one would go down with him or her. In the same way, one would never be the master, merely an exalted apprentice. The master would, after all, want to keep the power to himself in the first place.
So... does this mean that, when the master dies, one would automatically receive the title of master? No; more likely, especially in politics, everyone would want to fill the void that the master left for himself.
Filbert Tan
Hi18-K
I agree with Monica, the example of Isabey was very apt. Sad to say, though, that the art of courtship in this sense is host to a lot of suspicion--from your superiors, from your rival courtiers, from everyone else who is involved in the powerplay. It all becomes a competition for who can service best, and sometimes your footprints are visible on the rungs of the ladder of hierarchy.
Peep Warren
Hi18-L
Another example of a perfect courtier would be Joseph of the Bible. On both accounts of his servanthood (first to Potiphar and then to Pharaoh), he was able to influence these great leaders' decisions without seeming intrusive or disrespectful. Although he did not manipulate them per se, the fact that he influenced their decisions makes him a perfect courtier.
~Sydney Arbilo
HI18-L
@Monica Ang
I agree, I think it is also important to be 100% loyal to your master. Although in Isabey's case he was left with no choice. And yes, it is very dangerous because if caught, there would certainly be consequences.
Czarina Masagca-L
@Philip Albert Verde
I think that if a courtier is caught with disloyalty, death might be imposed. So indeed, it is dangerous for them to not be 100% loyal to their masters.
And yes, Isabey is very talented and witty. I wouldn't have thought of that myself. I guess it's hard to be pressured by two masters so one has to squeeze all those ideas out in order to come up with something effective.
Czarina Masagca-L
@Chris Macalinao
I think this rule only applies to those who want to be a succesful and well-recognized courtier. To be on the highest of reign is not an option. And I think it would be great if other courtiers are jealous of him, that way it shows that he has succedded.
I don't think this rule applies to today's society. We all want to be on top, not just the best servers of those on top.
Czarina Masagca-L
@Serica Chuarojas
I agree. And besides, being the perfect courtier does not mean just to be the server of the master. There are various advantages especially for those who serve the best leaders.
Czarina Masagca-L
@Monica Copuyoc
Yeah, I have the same question in mind. I guess there are those who are happy with serving and pleasing their masters. And If that is what makes them content, then it is in a way, all worth it. But for those of us who want to rise on top, then this isn't enough.
Above Post: Czarina Masagca-L
@Chio Cebrero
It's mostly unfair if all the efforts are unappreciated especially is the outcome is something helpful to the master. It is indeed hard to be a courtier because of the risks.
Czarina Masagca-L
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