Boccaccio, Chaucer, and Stories for an Uncertain World


Book Description

Boccaccio, Chaucer, and Stories for an Uncertain World understands the Decameron and the Canterbury Tales to communicate a radical uncertainty haunting most human endeavors, one that challenges effective knowledge of the future, the past, or the distant present; accurate perception of both complex, equivocal signifying systems, including language, and the intentions hidden rather than revealed by the words and deeds of others; and successful strategy in dealing with the chronic excesses and arbitrariness of power. This comparative study of Decameron novelle and Canterbury pilgrim tales yields the insight that the key to coping with these challenges is pragmatic prudence: rational calculation issuing in an opportunistic, often amoral choice of ingenious deeds and/or eloquent words appropriate (though without guarantee) to mastering a specific crisis, and achieving the goal of agency in the here and now, not salvation in the Hereafter. An initial chapter explores the Aristotelian antecedents, contemporaneous cultural influences, and narrative techniques that intersect to shape the radically uncertain world of the Decameron and the Canterbury Tales, while succeeding chapters pair, and compare, stories from both collections that illustrate the quest for agency-its successes and its failures—through plots often brilliantly adapted from simpler antecedents, as well as eloquence by turns satiric and insightful. This is storytelling that exposes a culture's fears, as well as its aspirations for mastery over the circumstances that challenge its existence; reading these tales should be a labor of love and the goal of this study is to help assure that the reader's labor shall not be lost.




The Decameron


Book Description

A new translation of the Renaissance work comprising the one hundred short stories that ten young Florentines tell each other as they're passing the time in the countryside around Fiesole, attempting to escape the Black Death.




The Whole Works


Book Description




The Decameron: Selected Tales


Book Description

This edition presents 33 of the 100 tales, with at least two from each of the ten days of storytelling. Boccaccio’s general introduction and conclusion to the work are also included, as are the introduction and conclusion to the first day; the reader is thus provided with a real sense of the Decameron’s framing narrative. Extensive explanatory notes are provided, and the volume is prefaced by a concise but wide-ranging introduction to Boccaccio’s life and times, as well as to the Decameron itself. A unique selection of contextual materials concludes the volume.




The Decameron


Book Description

"The Decameron" by Giovanni Boccaccio is a collection of 100 tales told by a group of young people sheltering in a villa outside Florence during the Black Death. As the plague ravages the city, ten noble men and women escape to the countryside and entertain themselves by telling stories over a period of ten days. Each day, one member of the group is appointed as the "king" or "queen" of the day, and they choose a theme for the stories to be told. The tales cover a wide range of subjects, including love, trickery, wit, and morality, and they often feature characters from various social classes and backgrounds. Boccaccio's work is celebrated for its vivid storytelling, wit, and humor, as well as its frank and often bawdy depiction of human nature. Through the diverse tales told by the characters, "The Decameron" provides a rich tapestry of medieval Italian life, while also offering timeless insights into the complexities of human behavior and relationships.




The Decameron: Collector's Edition: 3 Different Translations by John Payne, John Florio & J.M. Rigg


Book Description

Giovanni Boccaccio's 'The Decameron: Collector's Edition' is a timeless masterpiece that consists of 100 bawdy, witty, and thought-provoking stories told by ten young Florentines who have fled the city to escape the Black Death. This literary work is written in a frame narrative style, showcasing Boccaccio's innovative storytelling techniques and his keen understanding of human nature. These tales cover a wide range of topics such as love, betrayal, humor, and morality, making them relevant to readers of all ages. The book serves as a vivid portrayal of 14th century Italy, offering valuable insights into the social and cultural norms of the time. The three different translations by John Payne, John Florio, and J.M. Rigg presented in this collector's edition provide readers with diverse interpretations and perspectives on Boccaccio's classic work. Each translation captures the essence of the original text while adding unique nuances that enhance the reading experience. Giovanni Boccaccio's 'The Decameron' is a must-read for lovers of classic literature, history, and storytelling, as it continues to captivate audiences with its timeless tales and universal themes.