The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio

Comprised of 100 novellas told by ten men and women over a ten-day journey fleeing plague-infested Florence, the Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio is an allegorical work famous for its bawdy portrayals of everyday life, its searing wit and mockery, and its careful adherence to a framed structure. The word "decameron" is derived from the Greek and means "ten days".

Giovanni Boccaccio (1313–1375) was an eminent Italian writer, poet, and an important Renaissance humanist who played a significant role in the literary world of the Middle Ages. One of his most celebrated contributions to literature is 'The Decameron,' a masterful collection of novellas that reflects the mores of 14th-century society. Renowned for its bold exploration of love and human behavior, 'The Decameron' comprises 100 tales told by a group of young men and women seeking refuge from the Black Death in a secluded villa outside Florence. Boccaccio's vivid storytelling and keen observations of character and society offer an essential window into the culture and life during the time of the plague. His innovative use of the vernacular, as opposed to Latin or courtly language, revolutionized Italian prose narrative, setting the stage for the Florentine renaissance and influencing future luminaries such as Dante, Petrarch, and later Chaucer. 'The Decameron' (Boccaccio, Giovanni, 1353) stands as a testament to Boccaccio's legacy, blending wit, tragedy, eroticism and a compassionate humanism that celebrate the diversity and complexity of human experience.