Decamerone

About “Decamerone”

The Decameron is a 14th-century collection of stories by Giovanni Boccaccio, likely written between 1349 and 1353. It is considered a masterpiece of classical Italian prose and differs from medieval sensibilities by emphasizing human ability to overcome or use fortune. The work contains 100 tales arranged within a frame story. Ten young people, seven women and three men, leave plague-stricken Florence for a villa in Fiesole. Each person takes a turn leading the group, setting rules for the daily stories told by all. The storytelling takes place over 10 days, with the remaining days used for personal grooming or religious activities. The title, Decameron, means “Ten Days’ Work.” Each day ends with a canzone, some of which are among Boccaccio’s finest poems.