Boccaccio Essay, Research Paper
Boccaccio
One of the most valuable tools for learning about past cultures and societies is through the literature of that period. When studying the fourteenth century, a surplus of good books exist revealing characteristics of life at that time. One of such books is The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio. In The Decameron, Boccaccio describes lifestyles in the fourteenth century through 10 days of stories told by various characters. He covers all topics and even though he writes in fiction, the characters are similar to actual people of that period. In the “Eighth Day” of The Decameron, Boccaccio accurately depicts women’s submissive role in the family, male dominance in society, and sexual promiscuity of the fourteenth century.
In the “Eighth Day”, a majority of the stories told represent women as submissive wives to what their husbands say. In the second story told, Boccaccio tells of a woman who had asked the priest for his cloak as a surety that he would pay her the five gold coins he promised. A servant of the priest came to retrieve the cloak without the payment. When the woman’s husband found out that she had taken a surety from the priest, he ordered her to go give the cloak back. She willingly did as she was told and fetched the coat to give back to the priest. (pg. 559) This is an accurate representation of the attitudes of the fourteenth century. Thomas Aquinas, a writer of the fourteenth century, advanced the idea of women as being passive and submissive. (Spielvogel 406) This idea was widely accepted and believed by most people and women began to fit into the role of obedient housewife.
Another important characteristic of lifestyles in the fourteenth century is that of male dominance in the society and workforce. This is represented in both the first and second stories in The Decameron. In both cases, the woman is left alone at home because her husband is away on business travel. In the first story, an exchange of money takes place between two men. It would be considered improper at this time for the man’s wife to make such a decision because she is considered suitable for housework. In the second story, again a woman’s husband is off on business travel while she is left at home. The man does not ask his wife to go and do the business or to even come with him because it is not considered her place in society. This shows that men were the domineering force in the society and made all business decisions. One fourteenth century Parisian provost states that “no master’s widow who keeps working at his craft after her husband’s death may take on apprentices, for the men of the craft do not believe that a woman can master it well enough to teach a child to master it, for the craft is a very delicate one.” (Spielvogel 406) This shows that women were not viewed as capable of undertaking all of the activities and duties that men obtained.
The third main characteristic of fourteenth century Europeans exemplified in The Decameron is that of sexual promiscuity. Six of the ten stories relayed by Boccaccio contain either extra-marital affairs or attempts at intercourse outside of marriage. The second story is based on the idea of a priest desiring to have sex with a man’s wife. He waits until the man leaves town on business, and then goes and seduces the man’s wife into bed. In another such story, a woman agrees to have sex with a man who is not her husband for money. Boccaccio writes that, “She then went back to Gulfardo and conveyed him to her bedroom, where, not only on that occasion, but on many others before her husband’s return from Genoa, she placed her person freely at his disposal.” (554) This suggests repeated sexual misconduct and affairs. This was an instance that was not uncommon at this time. The basic family included the husband, his wife and their children. Included this also is any of the husband’s illegitimate children. (Spielvogel 406) The fact that many husbands had illegitimate children would point to a widespread acceptance of extramarital sex. When writing The Decameron, Boccaccio made many references to sex outside of marriage and was possibly attempting to bring attention the fact that it had become so overlooked.
Througout the Eighth day of The Decameron, Boccaccio uses specific examples in displaying characteristics of people. These characteristics are not merely fictional depictions, but accurate observances of people in the fourteenth century Europe. He shows that women were submissive in the family, men were dominant in the workplace, and everyone was sexualy permiscuous. By comparing his works to historical data, one can develop a good understanding of life in the fourteenth century.
Другие работы по теме:
Poem Fading Away Essay Research Paper as
Poem: Fading Away Essay, Research Paper as i gaze at the falling rain trying to get away from all the pain som uch tension rising in the air dying inside does anyone care
Romeo An Juliet Essay Research Paper hi
Romeo An Juliet Essay, Research Paper hi i need an essay about a character in romeo and juliet that demonsrtated maturity. in a well developed multi pagraph essay and say why you think the character’s maturity was greater than the other characters in the play.
Oh Really Essay Research Paper Oh Reallyyou
Oh Really? Essay, Research Paper Oh Really, you think i am a lark, the dogs they run and bark, but when i say to them, shut up shut up shut up, you say to be nice to them,
Giovanni Boccaccio Essay Research Paper Giovanni BoccaccioBoccaccio
Giovanni Boccaccio Essay, Research Paper Giovanni Boccaccio Boccaccio was born in Paris, in 1313, the illegitimate son of a Florentine merchant and a French noblewoman. Reared in Florence, he was sent to study accounting in Naples around 1323. He abandoned accounting for canon law and gave that up for classical and scientific studies.
Passolini Essay Research Paper Passolini
Passolini Essay, Research Paper Passolini’s movie included short tales displaying the irony and humor that take place in Italian religious communities. For example, one tale was about a convent filled with devoted nuns that decided to hire what thought was a poor, deaf, mute man. They hired this man as the gardener for their convent.
Decameron Essay Research Paper Boccaccios View of
Decameron Essay, Research Paper Boccaccio?s View of Woman For centuries Boccaccio?s view of woman has been disputed by those who have read his work. Some state that Boccaccio was merely writing to entertain the people of
Decameron Essay Research Paper The Decameron by
Decameron Essay, Research Paper The Decameron, by Boccaccio, is a frame story written in the mid fourteenth century. There are a hundred stories told over a span of ten days. On the second day, a man tells a story about a princess, Alatiel, who was sent away to marry a king. Before Alatiel reaches her destination, she has sexual experiences with a lot of different men.
Shane Essay Research Paper Sometimes I need
Shane Essay, Research Paper Sometimes, I need you more than I need air And sometimes I miss you more than I will forever, never forget the times that we have shaared. The are priceless
Poem Belong Essay Research Paper Where I
Poem: Belong Essay, Research Paper Where I belong I am weak, I am strong I will fit where I belong don’t know where it is for now but it will come, if I allow tomorrow, I start a brand new day
Him Essay Research Paper I think about
Him Essay, Research Paper I think about him day and night The though won’t go away And, oh, how I would hold him tight every second of the day He is perfect, that is true, not an average me or you
Plague Writers Essay Research Paper Europe has
Plague Writers Essay, Research Paper Europe has experience two great plagues throughout its history. The first came in 1347, it was known as the Black Death. The second hit Europe?s most famous city, London, in late 1664 or early 1665; residents called it the Great London Plague. During these two plagues, there arose two men willing to tell the world of the horrors these two plagues brought with them.
Poem She Sat Essay Research Paper She
Poem: She Sat Essay, Research Paper She sat… helpless in her room praying to whatever god there may be to let her call to him. could god ignore such a painful cry?
Decameron Essay Research Paper Boccaccios The Decameron
Decameron Essay, Research Paper Boccaccio?s The Decameron is set within the framework of a group of ten men and women who have taken refuge from the plague in a country villa outside Florence for ten days. Throughout these ten days, the group tells hundreds of stories that reveal characteristics of fourteenth century lifestyle.
School Essay Research Paper School Where
School Essay, Research Paper School! Where did they come up with that name? I guess because it rhymes with lame Now this rhyme you read will be quite corny Please don’t get upset, mad, or horny
Cantebury Tales Vs The Decameron Essay Research
Paper There are many different roles for women shown in “The Canterbury Tales” and “The Decameron”. Both books take place around the same time frame, 1300AD. “The Canterbury Tales”, takes place in London, England and “The Decameron” takes place in Florence, Italy. It would be just to think that since both books take place in a western civilization, both books would reflect the same morals and daily life styles.
Ode To Boys Essay Research Paper We
Ode To Boys Essay, Research Paper We like them But do they like us The ones we do never fuss They don’t stop in And we wonder why We stress, we bitch We sometimes cry
Crying Again Essay Research Paper The Sky
Crying Again Essay, Research Paper The Sky is crying again And i am crying again. When did it start? When will it end? How’d i wind up with out a friend? Tears from my heart cling to my soul.
Life Is Like Essay Research Paper Life
Life Is Like Essay, Research Paper Life is like a car. When it?s new, it usually works all right. As time drives by, it breaks down and needs repairs. Life is like a leaf. In its youth, it
Hell Day Essay Research Paper Hell day
Hell Day Essay, Research Paper Hell day is a fun day where everything is like a burn day. If you would listen you could learn about this day and be apart of this day. If you are wise then you will relize that hell day is satans Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dare Essay Essay Research Paper What DARE
Dare Essay Essay, Research Paper What D.A.R.E Means To Me Dare has prepared me to say no to drugs in eight different ways. If anyone asks me to do drugs I will know what to do, such as- just ignoring the person or just
The Playground Essay Research Paper I have
The Playground Essay, Research Paper I have a friend I used to know who had a playground where we would go The times we had are fresh in my mind but they are from another time
How To Writing A Research Essay Essay
, Research Paper How To Writing A Research Essay The toughest part of the essay, for me, was taking all the information I had gained and reduce it to a mere few pages essay. After all, quality is better