ormative Assesment. A critical analysis of Charles V & Philip his Son by Marino Cavalli, 1554.
Student no; 1007604
Formative Assesment.
A critical analysis of “Charles V & Philip his Son” by Marino Cavalli, 1554.
This is a critical analysis of a written piece by Marino Cavalli as he writes his thoughts about the comparisons between the current King; Charles V, and his son and heir Philip. Cavalli has documented the concerns he has about Philip’s inability to adequately rule over ‘various peoples’ when he comes to power. Cavalli was the Venetian Ambassador in France at the time, and had a vested interest in who succeeded Charles V to the throne.
Cavalli begins by making basic observations about the physical similarities between father and son; their appearance, their habits and their demeanour.
“His Highness is now in his twenty-fourth year, of very delicate complexion and medium stature.
In both face and mind he resembles his father..” This is the first, and last positive evaluation he makes about Philip. It becomes clear very quickly that he harbours numerous doubts about Philip’s ability to come to power and manage different countries, when he favours being advised by a solely Spanish council, who would clearly have preference for their own agenda. “He takes excessive pleasure in being revered, and he maintains with everyone, no matter who he may be, a greater haughtiness than his father,”. Cavalli obviously worries that Philip does not attempt to earn the respect of his subjects or nobility. He manages to infer a negative edge to the term ‘revere’ cleverly using insinuation to make the reader consider this to be an unattractive quality, and demonstrates a preference for Charles V over Philip as he goes on to say; “They have good reason, being used to his father, who knows extremely well how to adjust himself by various ways to all kinds of people.”