The Decameron: A Classic Work of Italian Literature that was Once Banned

It is commonly said that one half of the world knows not how the other half lives, for they are separated by great distance, as well as by diversity of customs and language, and have no manner of communication one with another; and hence it comes to pass that there are many things that are acceptable to the one which are abhorrent to the other, and that are censurable here and praiseworthy there. Wherefore, seeing that this may be the case even with those who dwell in the same city, it cannot but be so with those who dwell in different parts of the world. Now, albeit our city of Florence is so rich in men of every degree, that needs must many customs obtain therein, that are in a measure repugnant the one to the other, nevertheless there is no lack of mutual tolerance therein, by reason whereof the citizens, whatever their several pursuits, having regard rather to their own interests than to the ways of others, are content with their own fashion of living and leave others in peace. And of this more especial witness may be borne by those who have come from countries, where the manners and customs are different from ours, and have been for some time in Florence, where they have found, that not only have they been well received, but have been shown favour and provided with all things that were necessary for them. Which things should come to the ears of all men, to the end that from them may be engendered a mutual love and kindly feeling between one people and another, and that so the fame of our city may be enlarged, and, as far as in us lies, the differences of custom, so far as they be not against reason, may be reconciled, and that we may have the wherewithal to bequeath to our posterity an enduring example of good fellowship, such as our forefathers have bequeathed to us.

The Decameron: A Classic Work of Once Banned Literature

The Decameron: a classic work of Italian literature that was once banned, written by Giovanni Boccaccio in the 14th century. The book is a collection of 100 stories told by a group of young people who have retreated to the countryside to escape the Black Death, a devastating pandemic that was ravaging Europe at the time.

Despite its literary merit and historical significance, The Decameron has not been without controversy. In fact, the book was once banned in several countries, including Italy, for its frank depictions+ of sexuality and its irreverent attitude towards religion.

The Decameron contains several stories that deal with themes of love and sexuality, including some that are quite explicit by the standards of the time. For example, one story involves a monk who falls in love with a beautiful woman and becomes so obsessed with her that he neglects his religious duties. Another story involves a woman who disguises herself as a man in order to pursue a same-sex relationship with another woman.

These depictions of sexuality were considered scandalous and offensive by some readers and authorities, leading to the book’s ban in certain parts of Europe. In addition to its sexual content, The Decameron was also criticized for its irreverent attitude towards religion, with some religious leaders denouncing the book as blasphemous.

Despite these controversies, The Decameron has endured as a classic work of literature and a testament to Boccaccio’s storytelling abilities. The book’s frankness and irreverence have also been praised by many readers and scholars, who see it as a reflection of Boccaccio’s humanistic worldview and his commitment to exploring the complexities of the human experience.

Today, The Decameron is widely available and continues to be read and studied by students of literature and history around the world. While its once-banned status may be surprising to modern readers, it is a testament to the book’s enduring power and the ongoing debates about the role of literature and art in society.

Why You Want To Read The Decameron

Overall, The Decameron is a rich and rewarding book that has something to offer readers of all backgrounds and interests. Whether you are interested in literature, history, or simply enjoy a good story, there are many compelling reasons to pick up a copy of this classic work.

  • Literary merit: The Decameron is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Italian literature, and has been influential in the development of Western literary tradition. Reading the book can be a rewarding experience in and of itself, as it is filled with vivid characters, memorable stories, and engaging dialogue.
  • Historical significance: The Decameron is set against the backdrop of the Black Death, one of the most devastating pandemics in human history. As such, the book offers a unique perspective on life in 14th century Italy, and can provide insights into the social, cultural, and political context of the time.
  • Narrative innovation: The Decameron is structured around a frame narrative, in which a group of young people tell each other stories over the course of ten days. This narrative structure was groundbreaking at the time, and has had a lasting influence on the development of European literature.
  • Relevance to modern issues: While The Decameron was written more than 600 years ago, many of the themes and issues it deals with are still relevant today. The book explores questions of love, morality, and the human condition in a way that is both timeless and thought-provoking.
  • Cultural literacy: Reading The Decameron can be a valuable part of a well-rounded education in the humanities, as it is considered a foundational work of Western literature. Familiarity with the book can also provide a deeper understanding of Italian culture and history.

The Decameron is Influential

The Decameron is considered to have had a significant influence on Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Both works are collections of stories told by a diverse group of characters, and both use a framing device to connect the stories. Chaucer is believed to have been familiar with the Decameron, and it is thought that he was inspired by its structure and storytelling style. The Canterbury Tales also includes themes and motifs that are similar to those found in the Decameron, such as the examination of the social classes and the use of irony and satire. Overall, the Decameron played an important role in the development of the literary genre of the frame narrative, and its influence can be seen in many later works, including Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

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Summary of The Decameron

The Decameron is a collection of 100 short stories told by a group of young people who have fled to a villa outside of Florence to escape the Black Death. The stories are told over the course of 10 days, with each day having a theme. The tales range from bawdy and humorous to tragic and moralistic, and cover topics such as love, sex, deception, and religious hypocrisy. The overall message of the book is one of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and the importance of living life to the fullest.

Stories that Appear More than Once in The Decameron

There are several stories that are repeated or continued throughout the ten days of The Decameron

  1. The story of Ser Ciappelletto is told on the first day and again on the eighth day.
  2. The story of Ghismonda and Tancredi is told on the second day and again on the fourth day.
  3. The story of Andreuccio da Perugia is told on the third day and again on the eighth day.
  4. The story of Alibech and Rustico is told on the third day and again on the tenth day.
  5. The story of Federigo degli Alberighi is told on the third day and again on the fifth day.
  6. The story of Chichibio and the Crane is told on the third day and again on the seventh day.
  7. The story of Master Alberto and his pupil is told on the fourth day and again on the fifth day.
  8. The story of the monk who convinces a woman that he is Saint John the Evangelist is told on the seventh day and again on the ninth day.
  9. The story of the Abbot of Cluny and his hunter is told on the eighth day and again on the ninth day.
  10. The story of Giotto and the King of France is told on the third day and again on the seventh day.

Day 1 Stories

On the first day of storytelling in The Decameron, the theme is “tales of misfortune that ended happily.” The following stories are told:

  1. Story of Ser Ciappelletto – a wicked man who lies on his deathbed and convinces a friar that he was a virtuous man, resulting in a miraculous reputation after his death.
  2. Story of Andreuccio da Perugia – a young man from Perugia is robbed while visiting Naples, but manages to turn the tables on the thieves with the help of a clever woman.
  3. Story of Alibech and Rustico – a young woman seeks out religious instruction and ends up living with a hermit, who teaches her more about the pleasures of the flesh than the teachings of the church.
  4. Story of Master Ciappelletto’s wife – a cunning woman avenges herself on her philandering husband by faking his death and taking his money.
  5. Story of Ghino di Tacco – a nobleman takes revenge on a rival by seducing his wife, but ends up falling in love with her and marrying her.
  6. Story of the pot of basil – a young man falls in love with a noblewoman and dies of love. She discovers his death and, with the help of his ghost, exacts revenge on those who caused his demise.
  7. Story of the Count of Antwerp – a young woman outwits a powerful and abusive count and saves her own life and honor.
  8. Story of the misfortunes of Tofano – a foolish husband is cuckolded by his wife and loses all of his money, but manages to regain his wealth and pride in a surprising way.
  9. Story of the monk who loved a girl – a monk falls in love with a girl and devises a plan to be with her, which involves tricking her father and the entire convent.
  10. Story of Federigo’s falcon – a man loses his fortune and his wife, but when he is visited by his true love, he sacrifices his most prized possession, a falcon, to make her a meal.

Day 2 Stories

On the second day of storytelling in The Decameron, the theme is “tales of those who, after undergoing much adversity, achieved a happy outcome.” The following stories are told:

  1. Story of Abraham – a Jewish merchant in Paris is saved from death by a Christian friend, but must convert to Christianity to avoid persecution.
  2. Story of Monna Giovanna – a woman travels to Paris to reclaim a debt owed to her husband, but is taken advantage of by a young man. She gets her revenge in a surprising way.
  3. Story of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba – a queen visits Solomon and is amazed by his wisdom and wealth. They fall in love and have a child together.
  4. Story of Guiscard and Ghismonda – a nobleman falls in love with his best friend’s daughter, but when she dies, he is so grief-stricken that he kills himself.
  5. Story of Pericone – a young man is falsely accused of a crime and sentenced to death. He escapes and finds refuge with a group of thieves, but eventually clears his name and marries the woman he loves.
  6. Story of Andreuccio di Pietro – a naive young man from Naples is tricked by a woman into thinking he has died and gone to hell. He escapes with the help of a clever thief.
  7. Story of Patient Griselda – a nobleman tests the faithfulness of his wife by subjecting her to a series of cruel and humiliating trials. In the end, she is proven to be faithful and loyal.
  8. Story of Filippo Balducci – a rich merchant becomes blind and loses his wealth, but with the help of a friend, he regains his sight and his fortune.
  9. Story of Federigo degli Alberighi – a nobleman loses his wealth and becomes a recluse, but when the woman he loves comes to him for help, he sacrifices all he has left to provide for her.
  10. Story of Bertuccio and Madonna Giovanna – a young woman is taken advantage of by a man, but with the help of a clever servant, she gets her revenge and saves her honor.

Day 3 Stories

On the third day of storytelling in The Decameron, the theme is “tales of lovers whose relationships are discovered or thwarted.” The following stories are told:

  1. Story of Tancredi and Ghismonda – a nobleman discovers that his daughter is in love with his own vassal and kills him. She then takes her own life in grief.
  2. Story of Giannotto di Civignì – a man falls in love with a woman he sees in church, but is too shy to approach her. He eventually disguises himself as a pilgrim and gains her love and affection.
  3. Story of Frederigo degli Alberighi – a nobleman falls in love with a married woman who is uninterested in him. He spends all of his wealth trying to impress her and finally wins her love, only to lose her again.
  4. Story of Andreuccio da Perugia (again) – a young man falls in love with a beautiful woman he meets on the street, but ends up being tricked and robbed by her.
  5. Story of Chichibio and the Crane – a servant is tasked with cooking a crane for his master’s dinner, but ends up eating part of it himself. He tells his master that the crane flew away, but is caught in his lie when the crane returns.
  6. Story of Bertrand de Roussillon – a nobleman discovers that his wife has been unfaithful to him, but instead of punishing her, he comes up with a plan to save her reputation and keep her love.
  7. Story of Giotto and the King of France – a painter is summoned to Paris to paint a picture for the king, but is distracted by his love for a beautiful woman. He finally paints the perfect picture, but not in the way he had expected.
  8. Story of Isabetta and Lorenzo – a young woman’s love for a man is discovered by her brothers, who kill him and bury his body in their garden. She later discovers a plant growing from his buried heart and takes care of it, which eventually leads to the discovery of the body and the confession of the crime.
  9. Story of the Abbot of Cluny – a young monk pretends to be sick so that he can visit a woman he is in love with. His superior, the abbot, finds out and punishes him in an unexpected way.
  10. Story of the Three Rings – a Jewish merchant leaves his three sons a ring each, but only one of the rings is the true ring of power. The sons argue and seek the advice of a wise judge, who teaches them an important lesson.

Day 4 Stories

On the fourth day of storytelling in The Decameron, the theme is “cunning and cleverness” The following stories are told:

  1. Story of Ricciardo Manardi – a young man falls in love with a woman who is locked in a tower, and with the help of a cunning plan, manages to have a secret affair with her.
  2. Story of Calandrino, Bruno, and Buffalmacco – three friends play a prank on each other involving a fake alchemy stone, leading to hilarity and mischief.
  3. Story of the Abbot of Cluny – an abbot is tricked by a monk into thinking he has experienced a vision of heaven and hell.
  4. Story of Chichibio and the Stewed Cockerel – a servant is tasked with cooking a rooster for his master’s dinner, but when caught eating its tastiest part, he comes up with a clever explanation.
  5. Story of the Three Ladies of Florence – three women tell stories of cunning wives who outsmart their husbands.
  6. Story of the Pot of Basil – a young woman falls in love with a man of lower social status, but when her brothers discover the affair, they have him killed. She takes revenge in a gruesome way.
  7. Story of the Marquis of San Giovanni and his Squire – a wealthy man seeks revenge on his squire after being tricked into thinking his wife has been unfaithful.
  8. Story of the Cripple – a cunning cripple outwits a group of thieves who attempt to rob him.
  9. Story of Master Alberto and his Servant – a man sends his servant to buy goods from a market, but the servant instead sells his master’s goods and pockets the profit.
  10. Story of the False Fat Friar – a man disguises himself as a friar to avoid punishment for his crimes, but is eventually caught and punished.

Day 5 Stories

On the fifth day of storytelling in The Decameron, the theme is “stories of those whose loves ended unhappily or disastrously.” The following stories are told:

  1. Story of Cimone and Efigenia – a man falls in love with a woman who is being held captive by pirates. He disguises himself as a woman to be taken captive by the pirates and eventually frees her.
  2. Story of Messer Lizio di Valbona – a nobleman falls in love with a woman, but his advances are rejected. He eventually learns that she is actually his own daughter and must find a way to cope with his forbidden feelings.
  3. Story of the Woman of Ephesus – a woman’s husband dies and she is so grief-stricken that she spends the night in his tomb. She is caught by a soldier who falls in love with her and helps her hide her husband’s body from the authorities.
  4. Story of Gerbino and the Three Venetian Brothers – a prince falls in love with a woman who is already betrothed to one of three brothers from Venice. In a fit of jealousy and rage, he kills the brother and is sentenced to death.
  5. Story of the Two Lovers of Siena – a young man and woman from rival families fall in love and elope. They are eventually caught and sentenced to death, but are saved by the citizens of Siena.
  6. Story of the Three Rings – a wealthy and wise man leaves his three sons each a ring that is supposed to be the same. Each son argues that his ring is the real one, and a judge must decide which one is telling the truth.
  7. Story of Lisabetta and the Pot of Basil – a young woman’s love for a man is forbidden by her two brothers, who kill him and bury his body in a pot of basil. She waters the basil with her tears until she dies of grief.
  8. Story of the Merchant of Prato – a wealthy merchant becomes obsessed with his beautiful wife and spends all his wealth trying to keep her happy. When he discovers she has been unfaithful, he must find a way to regain his wealth and status.
  9. Story of the Count of Antwerp – a nobleman falls in love with a married woman and is imprisoned for his advances. He eventually escapes and runs away with the woman, but they are caught and punished.
  10. Story of Gabriotto and of Sir Ansaldo d’Agnibene – a young man is forced to marry a woman he does not love, and makes a deal with a rich merchant to borrow money to win her love. The merchant demands payment in the form of a pound of the young man’s flesh, but is ultimately outwitted.

Day 6 Stories

On the sixth day of storytelling in The Decameron, the theme is “tales of lovers whose passions, rewarded or punished, produced extraordinary and memorable adventures.” The following stories are told:

  1. Story of Federigo degli Alberighi – a nobleman who loves a married woman spends all his wealth trying to impress her and finally wins her love, only to lose her again.
  2. Story of Ghismonda and Guiscardo – a noblewoman and her husband’s vassal fall in love and begin a secret affair, leading to tragic consequences.
  3. Story of Ricciardo Manardi and Caterina – a woman is forced to marry a man she does not love, but continues to see her true love in secret with the help of a clever trick.
  4. Story of Filostrato and Panfilo – a young couple fall in love but are separated by the girl’s father, leading the young man to embark on a dangerous quest to win her back.
  5. Story of Lisabetta and Lorenzo – a woman’s love for a man is discovered by her brothers, who kill him and bury his body in their garden. She later discovers a plant growing from his buried heart and takes care of it, which eventually leads to the discovery of the body and the confession of the crime.
  6. Story of Gerbino and the Three Venetian Ladies – a young prince falls in love with a beautiful woman he sees on a ship, but his attempt to kidnap her leads to a deadly conflict with her companions.
  7. Story of Peronella – a clever woman outwits her husband and his friends to protect her valuable possessions.
  8. Story of Bergamino and the Sergeant – a man tries to prove his wit and intelligence to a sergeant, but ends up getting tricked himself.
  9. Story of Tancredi – a nobleman discovers that his daughter is in love with his own vassal and kills him. She then takes her own life in grief.
  10. Story of the Abbot of Cluny – an abbot’s love for a young girl leads him to abandon his duties and take up a life of debauchery, but he eventually learns the error of his ways and repents.

Day 7 Stories

The stories told on the seventh day of The Decameron all revolve around the theme of tricks played by women on men to outwit them. The ten stories told on this day are:

  1. Federigo’s Falcon – a woman uses her wit and charm to obtain a gift from a man she desires, even though he has lost all his wealth.
  2. Andreuccio da Perugia (again) – a woman disguises herself as a ghost to trick a man into giving her money.
  3. The Abbot of Cluny – a woman fools a lecherous abbot into believing she is the devil and scaring him into changing his ways.
  4. Master Alberto – a woman cons a man out of his money by pretending to be a ghost.
  5. The Three Young Men and the Demon – a woman uses her wits to save herself and her friends from being tricked by a demon.
  6. Rustico and Alibech – a woman tricks a monk into teaching her about sex by pretending she wants to become closer to God.
  7. Nastagio degli Onesti (first part) – a woman uses a gruesome trick to get revenge on a man who rejected her love.
  8. The Pot of Basil – a woman uses her cunning to trick her family into allowing her to keep the head of her lover, whom they had murdered.
  9. The Story of Griselda (first part) – a woman endures cruel tests of faith and obedience at the hands of her husband, who is testing her loyalty.
  10. The Tale of Tofano and his Wife Ghita – a woman outwits her abusive husband by faking her own death and leaving him a fortune in her will.

Day 8 Stories

On the eighth day of storytelling in The Decameron, the theme is “tales of trickery and cleverness in love.” The following stories are told:

  1. Story of Filippo Balducci – a young man who falls in love with a woman he sees in a dream and goes on a journey to find her.
  2. Story of the Three Curses – a woman who is cursed with three misfortunes due to her unfaithfulness.
  3. Story of Guido Cavalcanti – a nobleman who is imprisoned for his political beliefs and makes a deal with a fellow prisoner to escape.
  4. Story of Peronella – a woman who outwits her husband and a would-be thief to keep her valuable possessions safe.
  5. Story of the Mule – a man who sells a mule to another man but then steals it back, leading to a humorous series of events.
  6. Story of Abraham – a Jewish merchant who converts to Christianity to win the love of a Christian woman, but ultimately realizes his mistake.
  7. Story of the Three Rings – a man who must decide which of his three sons will inherit his kingdom, and gives each a ring with magical properties to determine their worthiness.
  8. Story of the Abbot of Cluny – an abbot who is tricked into believing that a donkey is a holy relic and goes on a pilgrimage to Rome with it.
  9. Story of Salabaetto – a merchant who becomes rich through his own hard work and perseverance, but then loses everything due to his foolishness.
  10. Story of the Pot of Basil – a woman who falls in love with a man beneath her station and is betrayed by her brothers, leading to tragic consequences.

Day 9 Stories

On the ninth day of The Decameron, the theme is “stories of those who, after suffering misfortune, find themselves happy.” The following are the ten stories told on this day:

  1. Story of Abraham and the Three Gods – a man’s faith is tested when three gods appear to him and ask for his hospitality.
  2. Story of the Monk and the Bird – a monk saves a bird and is rewarded by God for his kindness.
  3. Story of Nastagio degli Onesti – a man falls in love with a woman who repeatedly rejects him, so he takes her on a terrifying journey to win her love.
  4. Story of the Pot of Basil – a woman mourns the death of her lover and creates a basil pot with his head as a reminder of him.
  5. Story of Federigo’s Falcon – a nobleman’s love for his falcon leads him to sacrifice everything he has for it, including his own life.
  6. Story of Theodoro – a young man is sold into slavery and eventually becomes a wealthy merchant.
  7. Story of Lisabetta da Messina – a woman is haunted by the ghost of her murdered lover until she finds his buried head and gives it a proper burial.
  8. Story of Saladin and the Three Merchants – a sultan tests the honesty of three merchants and rewards them accordingly.
  9. Story of Alibech and Rustico – a young woman goes to live with a hermit to learn about religion, but ends up teaching him about the pleasures of the flesh.
  10. Story of Chichibio and Sozzo – a servant tries to trick his master into thinking a cooked chicken is still alive, but is caught in his lie by another servant.

Day 10 Stories

On the tenth and final day of The Decameron, the theme is “Exemplary Tales of Love.” The ten stories told on this day are:

  1. Story of the Abbot of Cluny – a pious abbot falls in love with a young woman and tries to resist his feelings, but eventually gives in to his desires.
  2. Story of Filomena and her falcon – a young woman uses her pet falcon to test the love and loyalty of her two suitors.
  3. Story of Alibech and Rustico – a young woman seeks instruction in the ways of love from a hermit, but their lessons take an unexpected turn.
  4. Story of Ghino di Tacco – a bandit falls in love with a noblewoman and wins her heart through his bravery and cunning.
  5. Story of Guido Cavalcanti and the Lady of Florence – a nobleman falls in love with a married woman and writes a poem to express his love, but is caught and punished for his actions.
  6. Story of the Count of Antwerp – a noblewoman uses a clever ruse to test the loyalty of her husband and his friend.
  7. Story of Ricciardo Manardi – a young man wins the love of a noblewoman through a series of daring and romantic exploits.
  8. Story of the Sicilian Lovers – a young couple from Sicily are torn apart by their families, but are reunited through a series of clever and daring schemes.
  9. Story of the Priest’s Wife – a young woman marries a priest, but is forced to choose between her love for him and her desire for a child.
  10. Story of the Queen of Corinth – a queen discovers that her husband has been unfaithful to her and enacts a clever revenge.

These tales all center around the theme of love, and aim to provide examples of virtuous and noble behavior in matters of the heart.

Comparing the Classics: The Canterbury Tales and The Decameron:

This book “The Decameron” by Giovanni Boccaccio and “The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer are both collections of stories told by various characters. Both books were written in the late Middle Ages, and they are considered among the most important works of European literature.

Structure:

One of the main similarities between the two works is their structure. Both books are organized around a framing device that involves a group of people telling stories to pass the time. In “The Canterbury Tales,” a group of pilgrims traveling to Canterbury Cathedral each tells a story along the way. In “The Decameron,” a group of ten young people escaping the Black Death in Florence tell stories to each other while they are staying in a villa outside the city.

Stories:

Another similarity is that both books feature a wide range of stories with a variety of themes and tones. There are tragic stories, comic stories, stories of love and betrayal, and stories with religious or moral messages. Both authors were interested in capturing the full range of human experience and emotion, and their books reflect this.

Native Tongue:

Finally, both books were written in the vernacular language of their respective countries. Chaucer wrote in Middle English, while Boccaccio wrote in Italian. This was a departure from the literary tradition of the time, which had been dominated by Latin and French. By writing in their native languages, Chaucer and Boccaccio helped to establish their languages as literary languages and paved the way for the development of national literatures.

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