"The Book of the Courtier" is a 16th-century dialogue written by Baldassare Castiglione. It explores the ideal qualities and behaviors of a courtier, or a nobleman, in the Renaissance period. The book emphasizes the importance of grace, wit, and knowledge, suggesting that a courtier should be well-rounded and skilled in various arts. The dialogue takes place at the court of Duke Guidobaldo da Montefeltro in Urbino, Italy. Through conversations among courtiers, Castiglione discusses virtues such as loyalty, humility, and the ability to engage in conversation. The work has been influential in shaping ideas about etiquette and social conduct in European courts.