Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion
This topic is about
The Decameron
Old School Classics, Pre-1915
>
The Decameron - Spoiler Thread, Was a Buddy Read
date
newest »
newest »
Just 8 stories left! Wahoo! The first two of Day 10 were pretty boring, so I've had a hard time diving back in. I will finish it soon though! I've only been working on it since last July.... ;D
Good job Natalie. It really is a long read :D
Haha! Thanks Armin. This is one that I will feel proud of for getting through. I'm glad I read it! Now to finish those last few stories....
Mod
Looking forward to your final thoughts on the whole when you finish Natalie, and thank you for continuing to post your synopses. I thjnk you'll have as fine a sense of accomplishment as I when done
I finally finished! Huzzah! I do feel a sense of accomplishment Sam. Day 10 was rough. The stories were pretty dull, especially because some of them were so long.
Day 10 - Story 3 (Filostrata - Irascible Appetite)
These stories on Day 10 are there own kind of interesting. Mithridanes is irritated that everyone thinks Nathan is more “courteous” than him so he decides to kill Nathan. (Weird that people think Nathan is kinder…) Nathan is SO courteous that he is just like “go right ahead dude! I give people what they want!” So strange…
Day 10 - Story 4 (Lauretta - Justice)
The thing that surprises me the most about these stories are the examples they use and applaud for munificence. In this story, Messer Gentile loves a married woman but she doesn’t care for him. When she dies he just wants to see her one more time so he goes to her tomb so he can kiss her and touch her breasts. (I’m thinking he and Heathcliff would get along well.) Turns out it’s a good thing that he’s actually a creeper, because she’s alive! He’s applauded for his kindness in letting her go back to her husband after his necrophilian fondling saves her.
Day 10 - Story 5 (Emilia - Faith)
Another man is obsessed with a married woman. She gets rid of him by telling him she’ll love him if he makes her a beautiful garden in winter. He gets a musician and then awaits his reward. The lady’s husband says she has to fulfill her promise, you may give him your body, but not your heart. I have not liked any of the stories for Day 10.
Day 10 - Story 6 (Fiametta - Temperance)
A king is lusting after two beautiful girls, but then gets some good advice from his friend.
This is not the action of a magnanimous king, but rather of a weak-willed youth…you say you have decided that you must abduct his two daughters from this unfortunate knight, who honoured you in his house beyond his means…and that he firmly believes you to be no ravening wolf, but a king.
So far this is the best story because the king actually makes the correct decision.
Day 10 - Story 7 (Pampinea - Prudence)
Were people really getting “lovesick” to the point of death in the middle ages? After one sight and their doomed, apparently. Not a big fan.
Day 10 - Story 8 (Filomena - Fortitude)
Oh boy…where to even begin? I feel like all of these stories on Day 10, mostly just talk about how women are property. That’s definitely what this story does. Wives are made to be transferred around at will.
Day 10 - Story 9 (Panfilo - Reason)
This story was the least annoying morally, but it was sooo long and not at all exciting. Basically if you are kind to strangers, it will be repaid.
Day 10 - Story 10 (Dioneo - Lust)
This story was by far the worst on Day 10 but not the most repulsive in the book, in my opinion. A man torments his wife because he wants to test her obedience.
EpilogueI really liked the epilogue.
Like all other things in this world, stories, whatever their nature, may be harmful or useful, depending upon the listener.
He’s basically giving another defense for his book.
Nor will they ever be thought of or described as anything but useful and seemly, if they are read at the proper time by the people for whom they were written.
I still insist that I would not feel ashamed if some fell short of perfection, for there is no craftsman other than God whose work is whole and faultless in every respect.
My favorite was what he said about stories being offensive. I thought “how true.”
And the fact remains that anyone perusing these tales is free to ignore the ones that give offense, and read only those that are pleasing. For in order that none of you may be misled, each of the stories bears on its brow the gist of that which it hides in its bosom.
He even rises to the defense of the length.
...nothing can be too long if it serves the purpose for which it is intended. Brevity is all very well for students who endeavor to use their time profitably rather than while it away, but not for you ladies, who have as much time to spare as you fail to consume in the pleasures of love.
Overall, I'm glad I read this book! I think I'll end up giving it 4-stars. I'm glad I read it. I was impressed with how Bocaccio was able to make me believe in the individuality of each of the story tellers. I'd be reading and thinking things like "C'mon Pampinea, you're better than that!"
I'm definitely 1,000% glad that I don't live in the middle ages. The misogyny and sexism is through the roof. It makes me grateful for all the women (and men) who came before me and fought to make things better. The stories of rape and the story about the scholar torturing that lady by leaving her naked on a tower were the worst ones to me. It was disgusting.
Before reading I saw some commentaries saying that this was a more "feminist," forward-thinking book, and after reading it...I don't really agree with that. Maybe there was a story or two that represented women well, but 90% of them definitely considered women as less than.
I could see rereading some of the better stories in the future. It is great that Bocaccio tells what the story is first!
Mod
Congrats Natalie, and thanks for your story comments. I agree that there is a sense of satisfaction in finishing this and always good to knock another off the tbr.
Thank you Sara and Sam! It was an experience. 😄 I’m glad the group helped me find this book. I never would’ve heard of it otherwise.
Congrats Natalie. At first I thought it was a April Fools joke, but then I realized you really finished it :)
Catching up on Classics (and lots more!)
Books mentioned in this topic
The Decameron (other topics)The Decameron (other topics)
The Decameron (other topics)
The Decameron (other topics)
The Decameron (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Wayne A. Rebhorn (other topics)Dante Alighieri (other topics)
Giovanni Boccaccio (other topics)
Stephen Greenblatt (other topics)
Niccolò Machiavelli (other topics)
More...
Panfilo is in charge and he decrees that everyone tell stories about the munificence of others.
Day 10 - Story 1 (Neifile - Chastity)
Not a very interesting story, but it was short. Some dude doesn’t think he’s being rewarded enough by the king, but he’s given some rewards in the end.
Day 10 - Story 2 (Elissa - Hope)
Another boring story. I’m wondering if all these stories of “munificence” are going to be dull.