De Decamerone Van Boccaccio

A collection of novellas written in the 14th century. This literary work comprises one hundred stories told over ten days by a group of ten young people seeking refuge from the Black Death ravaging Florence. The tales delve into themes of love, adventure, and human folly, offering a keen insight into the society of the time and encapsulating the vibrant culture of medieval Italy. The opening portion introduces the context in which the stories are told, against the backdrop of a devastating plague that leads a group of seven young women and three men to flee the city for a secluded villa. To mitigate their fears and entertain themselves, they decide to narrate various tales over ten days. The narrator reflects on the duality of life, noting how laughter can emerge from despair and how storytelling serves as a form of comfort in times of crisis. As they settle into their new environment, they form a hierarchy for storytelling, setting the stage for the rich and diverse narratives that will follow, starting with a tale about a cunning character named Sinjeur Ciappelletto.