Giovanni Boccaccio

Giovanni Boccaccio

Giovanni Boccaccio was born on June 16th, 1313. Giovanni passed away October 18th, 1375 at 62 years old. Giovanni Boccaccio was born in Certaldo, Republic of Florence.

Giovanni Boccaccio was an Italian author and poet. He is famously known for his works The Decameron and On Famous Women. He was the first poet to use a literary style known as ottava rima in long poems. Some of Geoffrey Chaucer’s famous works were inspired by Boccaccios’s poems.

The Decameron is a collection of 100 short stories narrated by ten young people- three men and seven women for 10 days. These stories form a part of a larger story about how this group of Florentines creates a temporary escape in the countryside in the wake of the plague in their city.

Together, the group builds a small idealized society that is far removed from the chaos of their time. The author begins the story with an explanation of his purpose: to teach readers especially women about love.

The book’s structure is unique. Each day, one person in the group acts as a “monarch” and leads the day’s storytelling. The temporary society is built upon trust and shared enjoyment, but it is also exclusive as its focus is on the upper class of the 14th century Florence. The story setting gives a brief respite from the harsh reality of the plague just like reading itself offers some sort of temporary escape.

The stories are diverse and vivid, and reflect the worldview of the wealthy urban Italians of Boccaccio’s time. They take readers on an epic journey across the Mediterranean and touch on places like England and France and also delve into different eras from ancient times to Boccaccio’s day. While most of the stories are adaptations of older tales, the author’s framing freshly ties them.

The core themes revolve around wit, love, and fortune. Lecherous priests, clever schemes, and the triumph of intelligence overpower frequently appear. Women's virtues play a central theme in the many stories with the focus mainly on discretion instead of strict morality. Additionally, social class also plays a larger role: as upper-class characters are often portrayed as witty and resourceful while the lower classes are often presented as simple or gullible.

Some of the stories are humorous and lighthearted while others have dark twists and reflect on the complexities of human nature. Marriage is a more practical arrangement rather than about love, and romance exists outside of it. This contrast helps add some intrigue to the story.

Boccaccio’s book The Decameron is an interesting look at the medieval life. It’s full of humor, drama, and social commentary. While the themes discussed and the attitudes reflect its time, the story still feels lively and relatable today. The Decameron is not just a collection of stories, but it is also a layered exploration of human nature amidst immense challenges.

Related Authors

Fans of Giovanni Boccaccio also enjoy these authors:

1. George Orwell, author of: 1984.
2. J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings Series.
3. Edgar Allan Poe, author of the Edgar Allan Poe Tales.
4. John Steinbeck, author of: Of Mice and Men.
5. Fyodor Dostoevsky, author of: Crime and Punishment.

Giovanni Boccaccio: F.A.Q