Dekameron

The Decameron (1353) is one of the most important works of European literature and a masterpiece of Italian prose. It is considered the founder of modern novelistic literature and the most important work of early humanism.

The plot is set in Florence in 1348 during the terrible epidemic of the Black Death. Seven young women and three young men from noble families flee the city to a secluded villa in the vicinity. To pass the time, they agree to tell one story each day. Thus, 100 novels are created over ten days (hence the name Decameron = ten-day story).

The stories are extremely diverse: from tragic love stories, comic intrigues and deceptions, through erotic incidents, satirical stories about corrupt priests and monks, to philosophical and instructive tales. Boccaccio draws motifs from ancient literature, medieval fables, oral tradition, but also real life.

The most famous are the stories of Griselda, of Federigo and his falcon, of Andreucci of Perugia, and numerous humorous stories about deceived husbands and cunning women. The work celebrates human intelligence, vitality, the joy of life and carnal love in contrast to medieval asceticism and church hypocrisy.

Boccaccio wrote the Decameron in realistic, lively and conversational language, introducing bourgeois everyday life into high literature. His characters are full-blooded people with all the virtues and vices – cunning, greedy, brave, in love or vengeful. In this way, he significantly influenced later writers such as Chaucer (The Canterbury Tales), Shakespeare, Molière and many others.

Due to its free themes, the work was banned several times and placed on the Index librorum prohibitorum, but it still survived as one of the most widely read classics. Today it is considered a key transitional work from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance – a joyful, wise and fearless celebration of human nature.