Question

elizabethan etiquette
modern americans sometimes express questions about how people could possibly have entertained themselves before electronic devices such as television, video games, and the internet. if you happened to be a lord or lady in the court of queen elizabeth i, one way that you would occupy your time might be learning the plethora of etiquette rules so complex that one would have to memorize them as people today might memorize the lyrics to their favorite songs.
the elizabethan era, the years between 1558–1603 when elizabeth i reigned as queen of england, is known for its emphasis on courtly manners. the most esteemed book on the subject was castiglione’s the book of the courtier, also referred to as the courtier. the courtier was translated from its original italian into english in 1561, and its rules were carefully followed by the highest - ranking courtiers of the day.
the rules of etiquette governed behavior in many aspects of life. among the most interesting were those pertaining to greeting people and conducting oneself while dining. the rules for greeting differed depending on the gender of the person initiating the greeting and the social status of the person being greeted. for example, if a gentlemen were greeting someone of higher status than himself, he would “doff,” or remove his hat (often called a bonnet), with his right hand and then bend and kiss his own left hand. he would have to take care to keep the inside of the hat facing his own knee, because showing your sweaty hatband was considered offensive. he would then make a bow, or “reverence,” the depth of which
read the passage from elizabethan etiquette.
if you happened to be a lord or lady in the court of queen elizabeth i, one way that you would occupy your time might be learning the plethora of etiquette rules so complex that one would have to memorize them as people today might memorize the lyrics to their favorite songs.
the main topic of the passage is
elizabethan manners.
elizabethan royalty.
modern society.
popular music.

Explanation:

The passage focuses on the etiquette (manners) in the Elizabethan era, including how courtiers spent time learning complex etiquette rules, the emphasis on courtly manners during that period, and examples of etiquette rules for greeting and dining. The other options (Elizabethan royalty, modern society, popular music) are either not the main focus or only mentioned briefly in comparison, so the main topic is Elizabethan manners.

Answer:

Elizabethan manners.