| Abstract: | Expressions connected to friendship and brotherhood were a prominent part of letter‐writing in the 16th century. They did not necessarily describe the true nature of a given relationship, but can rather be seen as a strategy, as a means to refer to shared values and norms related to friendship. Among noblemen, appealing to friendship was the main way of justifying requests. This reveals a connection between the rhetoric of friendship and power. Along with an emotional bond or a supporting network, friendship can be examined as a cultural ideal, which could be utilized rhetorically to produce and exercise power. |
