Giovanni Boccaccio, página 3 de 11

Il Decameron, capolavoro di Boccaccio, e una raccolta di novelle scritte probabilmente tra il 1349 e il 1353. La storia ruota intorno allincontro di sette fanciulle e tre giovani presso la chiesa di S. Maria Novella a Firenze, i quali per sfuggire alla peste diffusasi in citta decidono di recarsi in una villa sulle colline nei dintorni. Lazione si svolge in dieci giorni, durante i quali i giovani, con lintento di ingannare il tempo, ogni pomeriggio si riuniscono su un prato per raccontare, a turno, una novella sul tema quotidiano prescelto. La struttura narrativa schematica cosi ben congegnata si caratterizza pero per alcune varianti che rendono imprevedibile la traiettoria segnata da ogni storia e da ogni personaggio. Con maestria e ingegno vengono cosi descritti vizi e virtu della civilta borghese del tempo, che si concedono dessere licenziosi in alcuni accenni e puramente ironici in altri, rappresentando il mutevole affresco dellesistenza e dei sentimenti.Giovanni Boccaccio nasce probabilmente a Firenze nel 1313 (la data esatta rimane tuttora incerta). Figlio illegittimo di un mercante che lo indirizza allarte del cambio, si ritrova a Napoli permeato dalla volonta e dal desiderio di dedicarsi allo studio delle lettere e dei classici a lui piu congeniali. Richiamato dalla famiglia a Firenze intorno al 1340, ambienta le vicende del Decameron proprio durante la terribile pestilenza che si abbatte sulla citta nel 1348 e durante la quale morirono molti suoi amici e familiari. Importante per la sua formazione sara lincontro con Francesco Petrarca. Tra le sue opere ricordiamo anche Elegia di Madonna Fiammetta (1343-44). Muore a Certaldo (Firenze) nel 1375.

This is the central distinction between a writer of novelle and a novelist. Dickens and George Eliot didnt produce plots that invite elaboration or which could be sweated down to the skeletal form required for oral delivery. The effect of a 19th-century realist novel is to make a reader feel that all the spaces have been filled, all options already imagined within it. The novella in its early form is paradoxically much more spacious: it is underelaborated, allowing its readers to fill in its gaps of motivation and description. As a result, Boccaccios tales often offend the central post-Romantic, post-novelistic convictions that narratives explain what it feels like to be another person, or that they widen human sympathies. Repeatedly, he puts people in situations that must give rise to complex feelings, but at best he ascribes to his characters one, or sometimes two, of a small palette of primary emotions (lust, pity, rage, wonder). More usually he just lets action speak.

Nella gioiosa e raffianta societa napoletana, sollecitato dall'ambiente culturalmente vivacissimo della corte angioina, il Boccaccio svolge le sue prime esperienze poetiche. Coraggioso mediatore fra le piu acclamate tradizioni letterarie e le nuove esigenze di un pubblico ormai diverso da quello dell'eta feudale, al genio fondamentalmente e prepotentemente narrativo del Boccaccio si imponeva la necessita di esprimersi in un narrare in rima completamente ritrovato sia sul peiano poeticoe e tematico, sia sul piano ritmico e metrico. in questo suo itinerario espressivo dante fu per lui splendido esempio. Cosi la lieve costruzione narrativa e allegorica della "Caccia a Diana" e dominata soprattutto dall'aspirazione ad onorare le donne che erano al centro della scocieta napoletana di quegli anni, e i pettegolezzi signorili e cavallereschi che fanno della troia del "Filostrato" una napoli trecentesca, rispondono al desiderio di rappresentare una miracolosa trasformazione che nell'animo dell'uomo opera Amore, non in senso metafisico o intellettualistico, ma in tono carezzevole galante e madrigalesco.

Edición de Pilar Gómez Bedate que reproduce muy fielmente la prosa bocaciana, con sus artificios rítmicos paralelísticos, los efectos rimados, las aliteraciones, los juegos de conceptos entre palabras de forma semejante y los equovocos que desempeñan un papel tan importante en los chistes eroticos. La traduccion sigue el texto original integramente, fijado segun la edicion que hoy se considera mas autorizada y completa: la realizada por Vittore Branca en 1980.

Giovanni Boccaccios "The Decameron," particularly its first five days, unfolds as a captivating tapestry of tales narrated by a group of ten young individuals who escape the plague-ridden Florence. Written in the 14th century and richly layered in vernacular Italian, Boccaccio employs a frame narrative that interlaces comedy, tragedy, and moral lessons, showcasing both the follies and virtues of human nature. The tales reflect the socio-cultural milieu of the time, offering insights into love, fidelity, and social stratification, while simultaneously challenging the norms of medieval literature with its candid exploration of sexuality and human desire. Boccaccio, a precursor to the Renaissance literary movement, was deeply influenced by the tumultuous events of his era, particularly the Black Death, which incited his reflections on mortality and the human condition. As a scholar, poet, and playwright, his diverse experiences in the changing landscapes of 14th-century Italy enriched his narrative style and thematic depth, allowing "The Decameron" to serve as both a repository of contemporary life and a critique of societal norms. This seminal work is essential for readers seeking to understand the evolution of narrative form and the complexities of human behavior, resonating with themes that remain relevant today. "The Decameron" invites readers into Boccaccios vibrant world, where they can appreciate the intricacies of storytelling and the timeless nature of love and ambition.

In the final five days of Giovanni Boccaccios masterwork, The Decameron, the narrative reaches a crescendo of wit, poignancy, and social commentary. Set against the backdrop of the Black Death, Boccaccio presents a series of interconnected tales told by a group of ten young people seeking refuge from the plague in a secluded villa. The stories from Days 6 to 10 reflect an intriguing blend of humor and tragedy, exploring themes of love, deception, and moral complexity, all delivered with Boccaccios characteristic blend of realism and fantasy. This late medieval work not only encapsulates the human experience amidst crisis but also serves as a cornerstone of Italian literature, foreshadowing the Renaissances exploration of individualism and human emotion. Boccaccio, a contemporary of Petrarch and a pivotal figure in the development of early humanism, was deeply influenced by the cultural shifts of his time. His experiences in Florence during the tumultuous period of the Black Death provide a personal lens through which he interrogates the nature of human relationships. BoccaccioAos literary legacy is marked by his vernacular style, which democratized literature and expanded the boundaries of storytelling. The Decameron remains an essential read for those interested in the evolution of narrative form and the human condition. By engaging with Boccaccios insights, modern readers are invited to reflect on their own perceptions of love, morality, and the societal constructs that shape human experiences. This collection not only entertains but also serves as a timeless commentary on the resilience of the human spirit.

Many stories, sweet my ladies, occur to me as meet for me to tell by way of ushering in a day so joyous as this will be: of which one does most commend itself to my mind, because not only has it, one of those happy endings of which today we are in quest, but twill enable you to understand how holy, how mighty and how salutary are the forces of Love, which not a few, witting not what they say, do most unjustly reprobate and revile: which, if I err not, should to you, for that I take you to be enamoured, be indeed welcome.

In the summer of 1348, the plague ravages Florence, and ten young Florentines take refuge in the countryside, where they entertain themselves with tales of love, death and corruption, featuring a host of colourful characters, from lascivious clergymen and mad kings to devious lovers and false miracle-makers. Named after the Greek for "ten days", Boccaccio's book of stories draws on ancient mythology, contemporary events and everyday life, leaving an indelible mark on the works of future writers such as Chaucer and Shakespeare. J.G. Nichols's new translation stays as faithful to the original as possible while being written in a clear and eminently modern English, capturing the timeless humour of one of the great classics of world literature.

The Decameron, written by Giovanni Boccaccio in the 14th century, is a collection of one hundred tales framed within a rich narrative structure. Set against the backdrop of the Black Death ravaging Florence, the work features ten young people who retreat to the countryside to escape the plague. Each character tells a story over ten days, spanning diverse themes such as love, wit, and human folly, all delivered in Boccaccios distinctive prose that blends realism with fantastical elements. This literary masterpiece not only provides a glimpse into medieval societal norms and behaviors but also serves as a precursor to the modern novel and the humanist ideas that would flourish in the Renaissance. Giovanni Boccaccio, a key figure of the Italian literary tradition alongside Petrarch, was deeply influenced by his own experiences of the societal upheavals during the plague years. His exposure to various literary forms, including romance and classical texts, enriched his storytelling skills. Boccaccios keen observations of human nature and sociopolitical dynamics informed his thematic exploration in The Decameron, marking a departure from the predominantly didactic medieval literature. The Decameron is a vital read for anyone interested in the evolution of narrative form and the intricate exploration of human experience. It invites readers to reflect on the complexities of love, morality, and societal norms while offering a vivid portrayal of a world in crisis. Its relevance today makes it an indispensable work in understanding the human condition.