Decameron

Definition

The Decameron is a collection of 100 novellas written by Giovanni Boccaccio in the 14th century, framed as a story about a group of ten young people who escape the Black Death in Florence by retreating to a villa where they share tales over ten days. This work is significant in its reflection of humanistic themes and revival of classical learning, showcasing a shift towards more secular storytelling and the exploration of human nature and social commentary.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Decameron consists of 100 stories told by ten characters over ten days, with each character narrating one story per day.
2. Boccaccio's work is often seen as a precursor to modern short stories and influenced many later writers in both Italy and Europe.
3. The tales within the Decameron cover various themes including love, intelligence, wit, and morality, often using humor and satire.
4. The framing device of the story highlights human resilience and social interaction during a time of crisis, contrasting the chaos of the plague with the camaraderie among the characters.
5. The Decameron reflects a shift from medieval to Renaissance thinking, emphasizing individual experience and observation rather than solely focusing on religious narratives.

Review Questions

• How does the framing device in the Decameron contribute to its themes of humanism and social interaction during a time of crisis?
  • The framing device of the Decameron, where ten young people gather to tell stories while escaping the plague, underscores key humanistic themes such as resilience, friendship, and the importance of community. This setting allows Boccaccio to juxtapose the horrors of the Black Death with narratives that celebrate human experience and creativity. The interactions among characters during storytelling reveal their thoughts and emotions, highlighting the value placed on individual perspectives and shared experiences in a chaotic world.
• Discuss how Boccaccio’s use of humor and satire in the Decameron reflects Renaissance ideals compared to medieval literature.
  • Boccaccio’s use of humor and satire in the Decameron is a departure from the didactic nature of much medieval literature. By employing wit to critique societal norms and human behavior, Boccaccio aligns with Renaissance ideals that celebrate individuality and intellectual inquiry. This approach not only entertains but also encourages readers to reflect on moral complexities and the nuances of human relationships, marking a significant evolution in literary expression during this period.
• Evaluate the impact of the Decameron on subsequent literature and how it embodies the transition from medieval to Renaissance thought.
  • The impact of the Decameron on subsequent literature is profound, as it laid groundwork for modern narrative forms such as short stories and novels. Its embrace of secular themes, character-driven plots, and exploration of human emotions signifies a clear transition from medieval thought focused primarily on religion to Renaissance ideals that value individual experience. The work inspired future authors across Europe, encouraging them to explore realistic portrayals of life that reflect broader societal changes during this pivotal historical period.

Related terms

Humanism: A Renaissance movement that emphasized the value of human beings, individualism, and the study of classical texts from ancient Greece and Rome.

Allegory: A narrative technique in which characters and events symbolize deeper moral or spiritual meanings, often used to convey complex ideas in literature.

Literary Realism: A style of writing that aims to represent everyday life and society accurately, often focusing on ordinary characters and their experiences.