Paper Summary:

This paper explains that "The Decameron" (Ten Days Work), written by Boccaccio from 1348 to 1353, illustrates the glory of the Renaissance movement and the destruction of the Black Death. The author points out that Boccaccio provides social criticism through anecdotes narrated by the characters in the novel about patriarchy, women's marginalization, and the dominance and abuses of the Church. The paper relates that Boccaccio looks at the psyche and feeling of women in the midst of a conservative patriarchal society and provides his readers with his "ideal" notion of a woman of his time by providing a characterization of women who are portrayed to not be ideal.

From the Paper:

"The third group is a moderate mix of the first two groups, opting to live life to the fullest, "thinking it an excellent idea to fortify the brain" for the stench of the dead bodies" seemed to fill and pollute the whole of the atmosphere." Lastly, the last group of people in Boccacio's society fled from their homes and sought refuge in the countryside, believing that their city was cursed by God: " "large numbers of men and women abandoned their city" they imagined that the wrath of God" would only be aroused against those who found themselves within the city walls.""

Visitors who viewed this Book Review also liked these:

• Book Review # 2726 : "Social Parody In Boccaccio's "Decameron"
• Essay # 73878 : "The Decameron" and The "Inferno"
• Analytical Essay # 29013 : "Giovanni Boccaccio's "The Decameron"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: