The Decameron: Uses a Historical Framework to Tell a Variety of Fictional Stories
Giovanni Boccaccio's The Decameron uses an historical framework in which to tell a variety of fictional stories. Boccaccio must establish the history of the plague in Florence in 1348 to create the context for the multiple fictional tales that he creates. The objectives of this piece are to entertain through storytelling and to explore the genre of stories while working within a framework of actual history. Since Boccaccio can claim that his stories are fictional, he is able to discuss a variety of topics. The introduction carefully details the historical data about how Florence was afflicted with the plague and suffered under its wrath. However, Boccaccio makes clear in the first paragraph that a true history of the event is not his intention. "This dreary opening will be like climbing a steep mountain side to a most beautiful and delightful valley, which appears the more pleasant in proportion to the difficulty of the assent" (Boccaccio 2). The first two paragraphs let the reader know that certain elements of history must be told, but dangles the potential pleasures before the reader. Boccaccio then launches into a graphic account of the horrors of the plague including transmission, symptoms, and death rates. However,
Citizens became increasingly isolated and uncaring. Boccaccio uses this tale as a political weapon against the church. The first tale told by the young man, Pamfilo, is a tribute to the power of speech and language and how those can be manipulated through the telling of stories. However, he knows that if Abraham sees the truth about how the church functions in Rome then his argument is lost. In this piece the wealthy merchant Giannotto wishes his Jewish friend Abraham to become Christian. The use of language and creation of an elaborate story has changed this man from wicked to wonderful in the matter of a few hours. Giannotto creates an illusion about the Catholic faith being superior to Judaism through many conversations. fathers and mothers refused to see and tend their children" (Boccaccio 5). With this, Boccaccio shows how language can be used to change how people think and weave a fictional story. Certainly, the introduction and both of the first tales can be viewed as a combination of historical fact and invention. "One citizen avoided another, hardly any neighbor troubled about others, relatives never or hardly ever visited each others. Giannotto is successful in his doggedness if not his argument with Abraham. Then, Ciappelletto proceeds to lie to the friar during his last confession. "Let us rather spend this hot part of the day in telling tales, for thus one person can give pleasure to the whole company" (Boccacio 14).
Common topics in this essay:
Boccaccio's Decameron,
Church Boccaccio's,
Catholic Church,
Abraham Roman,
Giannotto Catholicism,
Christian Giannotto,
Consequently Giannotto,
Abraham Jew,
catholic church,
variety topics,
leave city,
stories fictional,
boccaccio 27,
church story,
boccaccio 27 abraham,
27 abraham,
|
Acceptance Essays
