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Penned by Italian writer Giovanni Boccaccio from 1350 to 1353, The Decameron features 100 stories, celebrated as a medieval allegorical masterpiece. Renowned for its vivid portrayals of love, ranging from the sensual to the sorrowful, it has influenced literary giants like Shakespeare and Chaucer. The narrative unfolds with seven women and three men retreating to a countryside villa to evade the Black Death ravaging Florence. Over fourteen days, they share tales on designated themes, with each day's leader choosing the topic. Dioneo, known for his cleverness, enjoys the privilege of concluding each day with a story on any subject he desires.
This marks the beginning of a series designed to introduce readers to lesser-known literary works, aiming to broaden our collective understanding of literature. We welcome your suggestions in the comments for books to feature in upcoming lists.
1. Day One
On the first day, under Pampinea's leadership, the storytelling session begins with an open theme. While no specific topic is assigned, six of the tales focus on individuals criticizing others, and four offer satirical takes on the Catholic Church.
2. Day Two
Filomea takes charge on the second day, directing the group to share stories centered around the theme: Unexpected misfortunes that ultimately lead to joyful conclusions.
3. Day Three
On the third day, Neifile assumes the role of queen. The tales shared revolve around individuals who either struggle to obtain something valuable or recover what they had lost.
4. Day Four
Boccaccio opens the fourth day by defending his work, claiming parts of it had already reached literate circles in Tuscany during its creation—though this is likely a preemptive strike against critics. Filostrato leads the day, focusing on stories of lovers whose romances meet tragic ends, marking the first time a male narrator takes charge.
5. Day Five
On the fifth day, Fiammetta directs the group to share stories of lovers who endure hardships before ultimately finding happiness and success in their relationships.
6. Day Six
On the sixth day, Elissa leads the group as queen and selects a theme focused on characters who use witty responses to escape danger or humiliation. Many of these tales appear to be original, with no known earlier versions, suggesting Boccaccio may have crafted them himself, showcasing his ingenuity in creating clever scenarios and sharp comebacks.
7. Day Seven
Dioneo takes the role of king on the seventh day, setting the theme as tales of wives outsmarting their husbands. These stories reflect the misogynistic views of the Medieval period, yet often depict the women as more intelligent and resourceful than their spouses. While Boccaccio portrays many female characters positively, the men are typically depicted as foolish or gullible, embodying the era's stereotypes.
8. Day Eight
On the eighth day, Lauretta takes charge as queen, guiding the group to share tales of deceptions—whether women tricking men or men outsmarting women.
9. Day Nine
Emilia leads the group on the ninth day as queen, and for the second time, no specific theme is assigned for the stories, mirroring the open-ended approach of the first day.
10. Day Ten
On the final day, Panfilo assumes the role of king and instructs the group to share stories centered on acts of generosity. These narratives progressively build in their display of magnanimity, culminating in the tale of patient Griselda, which serves as the pinnacle of both the day and the entire Decameron.
Source: J. M. Rigg English translation (1903)
