The Decameron, subtitled Prince Galehaut and sometimes known as l'Umana commedia, is a collection of 100 short stories written by the 14th-century Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio. Composed probably between 1349 and 1353, it is regarded as a masterpiece of classical Italian prose and a foundational work of the Renaissance literary tradition. The title derives from the Greek words deka (ten) and hemera (day), referring to the structure of the narrative, which unfolds over ten days.
The Decameron was created in the aftermath of the Black Death, the devastating bubonic plague that ravaged Europe starting in 1347. Giovanni Boccaccio, a Florentine writer born in 1313, witnessed the plague's impact firsthand in Florence, where it killed an estimated 60% of the population. The work opens with a vivid, harrowing description of the plague's effects on society, including social breakdown, abandonment of the sick, and widespread death. This prologue sets the stage for the frame story, where ten young nobles—seven women and three men—flee the infected city to a secluded villa in the countryside. To pass the time and distract themselves from the horrors outside, they elect a "queen" or "king" each day to choose the theme for storytelling, resulting in ten tales per day over two weeks (with two days off for religious observance), totaling 100 stories.
The plague's context is not merely backdrop; it underscores themes of mortality, resilience, and the human spirit's capacity for joy amid catastrophe. Boccaccio drew from diverse sources, including classical texts, folklore, and contemporary events, blending realism with fantasy. Many characters and incidents are inspired by real historical figures, such as the painter Giotto di Bondone, poet Guido Cavalcanti, Sultan Saladin, and King William II of Sicily. Lesser-known tricksters like Bruno, Buffalmacco, and Calandrino also have verifiable historical bases. Boccaccio occasionally altered historical and geographical facts for narrative effect, such as in tales involving Naples' red-light district or muddled timelines.
The frame narrative features the ten storytellers: Pampinea, Fiammetta, Filomena, Emilia, Lauretta, Elisa, Filostrato, Dioneo, Panfilo, and Neifile. Each day's tales revolve around a specific theme, ranging from love and fortune to wit and deception. The stories vary in tone—tragic, comic, erotic, and moralistic—often celebrating cleverness, sensuality, and human ingenuity. Notable examples include the tale of Federigo degli Alberighi (Day V, Tale 9), a poignant story of unrequited love and sacrifice, and the ribald adventures of Calandrino (multiple tales). The work's realism is enhanced by character development through dialogue and actions, making protagonists feel authentic within their medieval Italian context.
The Decameron was written in Tuscan vernacular, elevating Italian as a literary language alongside Latin. Its influence extended across Europe, inspiring works like Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales and contributing to the humanist ethos of the Renaissance. Despite initial censorship by the Church for its bawdy content, it became a bestseller in manuscript form during Boccaccio's lifetime and was first printed around 1470.
Scholars view The Decameron as a psychological response to plague-induced trauma, promoting escapism through storytelling. Its portrayal of class dynamics, gender roles, and social norms reflects 14th-century Italy's transitioning society. In modern times, it gained renewed attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for its parallels to isolation and resilience. A 2024 Netflix series adaptation, loosely based on the text, dramatizes the nobles' retreat amid the plague, emphasizing dark comedy and interpersonal tensions.
Sources consulted include detailed historical analyses and primary overviews. For further reading: Wikipedia entry on The Decameron, Britannica's overview, Smithsonian on the real history, and HistoryExtra's analysis.