BOCCACCIO’S DECAMERON STUDY GUIDE

Nastagio degli Onesti V, 8, pp. 457-462
Griselda X, 10, 813-827

Background:
Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375) was from a prosperous merchant family in Florence and author of the first Life of Dante. He lived through the Bubonic Plague (1347-48), caused by infected rats brought on ships from the eastern Mediterranean. The “Black Death” killed its victims hideously, quickly and in great numbers; in crowded cities, the death rate for this initial outbreak was between 50% and 75%. The Decameron‘s opening provides the most famous description of the plague’s impact on Florence, and provides the setting for ten days of stories told by a group of young men and women who leave for a country villa to escape the devastation of the city.
Boccaccio’s attitude to women is a subject on which scholars disagree, some stressing the clear misogyny of many of his stories, others emphasizing the sexually liberating message of others.

Nastagio degli Onesti, Day V, 8th story

What are the barriers to Nastagio’s love for the Traversari daughter?

Can you detect any literary source for the scene Nastagio witnesses in the woods?

How is the daughter presented, & why does she finally consent to marry?

Griselda, Day X, 10th story Why might this story be chosen as the last one?

Why is Gualtieri, the Marquis of Saluzzo, hesitant to get married, and what causes him to pick Griselda as his wife?

What are the terms of the pre-nuptial agreement he requires of her?
How do his social equals react to the marriage?

What is the role of clothing in the story of Griselda?

What are Griselda’s virtues? Is she a door mat or a heroine?

As a female character, how does she compare to Ghismonda and Filippa?