The first book asks the question, “what kind of man must be the one who deserves the name of the perfect courtier” (39) Castiglione confesses his reluctance to begin a project he knew he could not finish. Rather than enumerate a list of precepts, Castiglione records a number of conversations between courtiers who are “singularly qualified” in such matters. These conversations originally take place while Castiglione is at the court of Urbino. The opinions of the eminent courtiers present “can be trusted completely” (40).

Castiglione describes the landscape of Urbino, the libraries, and interiors of the palace, along with the illustrious persons of Duke Federico da Montefeltro and his son Duke Guidobaldo da Montefeltro. Guidobaldo’s prestige and service to the Kings Alfonso and Ferdinand the Younger meant that “everyone at his court strove to behave in such a way as to deserve to be judged worthy of the Duke’s noble company” (42). Every day in court was spent in “pleasing activities,” but it was the habit of the Duke to retire early to his bedroom, and thus it fell to the Duchess, Elizabetta Gonzaga, and her friend Emilia Pia to hold court. There was “harmonious agreement and heartfelt love” amongst the courtly party, which “liberty […] was accompanied by most careful restraint” (43).