Delighting in the Decameron
"A sin that's hidden is half forgiven." ~ Boccaccio
Giovanni Boccaccio's The Decameron, written in the mid-14th century, is a cornerstone of Italian literature and a significant work in the history of Western storytelling. Set against the backdrop of the Black Death, The Decameron is a collection of 100 tales told by a group of ten young people who flee to the countryside to escape the plague ravaging Florence. The stories encompass a wide range of themes, including love, tragedy, wit, and morality, reflecting the complexities of human nature. Boccaccio's work is celebrated not only for its vivid portrayal of life during a time of crisis but also for its innovation in narrative structure. By framing the tales within the context of a larger story, Boccaccio set a precedent for future works, influencing authors such as Geoffrey Chaucer, whose Canterbury Tales mirrors this narrative style.
Beyond its literary influence, The Decameron holds historical significance as it captures the social and cultural dynamics of 14th-century Europe. Boccaccio's tales provide a glimpse into the lives of people from various social strata, offering insights into the human condition during a period of profound upheaval. The stories explore the tension between fate and free will, the clash between old-world values and emerging humanist ideals, and the enduring power of love and humor in the face of adversity. The Decameron remains a timeless work, not only for its rich storytelling but also for its ability to resonate with readers across centuries, reminding us of the enduring nature of human resilience and creativity.
The book has inspired many painters such as Botticelli and John Waterhouse, as well as writers, including Shakespeare, Molière, Jonathan Swift, Keats, and Shelley. It was made into a movie by Pier Pasolini in 1971.
And now in 2024, Netflix has a one-season series of The Decameron. It’s quite different than that 1971 version.
For one, it’s utterly brilliant. It’s campy, it’s ridiculous, and totally over-the-top and I loved every second of it. It swerves quite a bit from the original tale(s) Bocaccio told, but the essence is there, and aside from the comedy, what makes this series work is the underlying human themes of greed, love, lust, friendship, and a desire for safety for one’s loved ones, and for oneself. Timeless themes, really, and that’s why, nearly seven hundred years later, we’re still enraptured by this tale.
Really, this would have been an even bigger hit if it had come out during the height of the pandemic when people turned to it, feeling the effects of our own plague.
To read more about the history and impact of The Decameron, you can check out:
Wikipedia: The Decameron and Boccaccio
LitHub: Boccaccio’s Modern Life: What The Decameron Reveals About Contemporary Anxiety
The Florentine: DECAMERON: the young Florentine bourgeois who fled the city during the plague
WHAT’S BRINGING ME JOY
These nonnas with larger than life bread and chocolate.
This photo is from 1958 Rome, with a paved road for cars running through the center of the Forum! The road has been removed to expose the ancient road beneath it. It’s so strange to look at this image.
Here’s a more recent image. Wild, huh?
My next project, I’m thinking will be set in Venice, so I’ve been doing a lot of research on what seems like the most impossible of cities. This video breaks down how they built Venice upon the water.
If you love food and love Italy, and haven’t read THE CHEF’S SECRET or FEAST OF SORROW, click the links to learn where to buy your copy! 🍒🍗🍷 And now you can pre-order IN THE GARDEN OF MONSTERS!
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I LOVED The Decameron! Binge watched it over two nights to escape the current heat in Umbria! That road through the Forum is crazy I never knew about that!
I loved the video about Venice! Thanks for sharing. And Decameron is next on my Netflix list.