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- The Decameron Is About Social Conventions
- Responses to the Plague in The Decameron Have a Lot of Truth Behind Them
- Humor and Sex Are at the Core of Bocaccio’s Decameron
As a scholar who has dedicated my life to studying medieval literature, I find great merit and relevance in the modern adaptation of Boccaccio’s The Decameron. Growing up in Florence, Italy, the stories from this masterpiece were not just tales told in classrooms but an integral part of my culture and history.
Titled after a 14th-century masterpiece by Giovanni Boccaccio, Netflix’s The Decameron presents a narrative about a band of Italians seeking refuge from the hardships of the bubonic plague. While Netflix’s The Decameron isn’t the streaming giant’s initial exploration into the Middle Ages, it deviates significantly from Boccaccio’s original work. Yet, there are resonances of authenticity and sincerity within The Decameron that underscore its historical counterpart. Unlike Boccaccio’s work, The Decameron on Netflix doesn’t retell the exact events; instead, it reinterprets the source material to resonate with modern audiences who have lived through their own challenges during a pandemic.
1. The structure of The Decameron, which consists of a hundred short stories told by ten storytellers, is based on Boccaccio’s work. This narrative explores themes such as class struggles, survival tactics, and societal decay amidst widespread illness during the 14th century. Similar to Boccaccio’s work, The Decameron employs humor and wit in commenting on society, and provides insights into life during that time period.
The Decameron Is About Social Conventions
Kathleen Jordan expressed her bewilderment to Tudum about how Giovanni Boccaccio might react to the show. Her reasoning behind this was elaborated upon in her interview with The New York Times in July 2024.
For Jordan, adapting The Decameron offered an opportunity to discuss class differences subtly, without coming off as overtly didactic. Consequently, Jordan’s adaptation of The Decameron would delve into the ongoing tension between oppression and freedom by focusing on Boccaccio’s aristocrats, thereby addressing this issue indirectly.
In a similar vein to the original “Decameron” by Boccaccio, Netflix’s production titled “The Decameron” delves into life during the 14th century. The storytellers, referred to as the “Brigata,” were comprised of nobles, clergy, and commoners. The tales they share provide insights into human behavior, though with distinct objectives. Scholar Francis Di Lauro elucidated on Boccaccio’s intentions in his 2020 publication, “The Conversation”:
As a fan of Boccaccio’s Decameron, I can tell you how this masterpiece offers a unique solution for coping with isolation. Picture me in a time when cities are plagued by calamity, and I choose to escape the chaos, finding solace in a simple communal living arrangement. We, the Brigata, entertain each other through storytelling as part of our disciplined routine. By adhering to structured rituals, we regain a sense of predictability and certainty that Boccaccio believed had been stripped away during these trying times. So, in essence, the Decameron provides an escape into fiction, allowing us to confront vices through storytelling and preserve our minds amid physical isolation.
In Netflix’s adaptation of “The Decameron,” the social disparities are brought to life rather than just being told about. For instance, Filomena, portrayed by Jessica Plummer, was once a noblewoman abandoned by her servant, Licisca (Tanya Reynolds). After assuming Filomena’s identity, Licisca experiences a drastic change in fortune and becomes one of the privileged class. However, when Filomena arrives at Villa Santa and takes on the role of a servant, her clumsy attempts and discomfort highlight her unfamiliarity with such a lifestyle.
Responses to the Plague in The Decameron Have a Lot of Truth Behind Them
1. Kathleen Jordan, the author behind The Decameron, acknowledged to The New York Times in July 2024 that fans of Boccaccio’s work might feel let down if they anticipate seeing their beloved Decameron tales enacted on stage. Instead, viewers will discover insights into how people responded to the devastation and turmoil caused by the bubonic plague.
In the 14th century, some people attempted to escape the plague by traveling to rural areas. This behavior was mocked by Boccaccio in his writings as well.
Many people, regardless of gender, left their own cities, homes, families, and belongings behind, seeking refuge in others’ estates or their own, as if they believed that the wrath of God, aiming to punish humanity’s wickedness, would not extend beyond their city walls but would only affect those residing within. They seemed convinced that no one should stay there and that the city’s end was imminent.
Additionally, there existed a deep-rooted belief among many that the Black Death was a divine retribution sent by God. As Neifile (Lou Gala) and Panfilo (Karan Gill) journeyed towards Villa Santa, they encountered flagellants, who flagellated themselves as an act of penance for the world’s wrongdoings. Obsessed with her own sinfulness, Neifile fervently believed that God would either spare or punish her. Her husband Panfilo, however, scoffed at this notion and instructed Dioneo (Amar Chadha-Patel) to rescue Neifile from the well only upon his divine command.
Humor and Sex Are at the Core of Bocaccio’s Decameron
Discovering reasons to chuckle at the quirks of the Middle Ages wasn’t as challenging as it might appear to contemporary onlookers. The medieval world, rich with humor, is evident in “The Decameron” and Boccaccio’s narratives. No social class or person was spared from amusement in the tales spun by the “Brigata.” In a similar vein, each character within “The Decameron” experienced their moment of jesting. Rivka Galchen described the evolution of humor in Boccaccio’s work in 2020:
In a playful turn of events, a dishonest Florentine judge is publicly humiliated by mischief-makers, drawing chuckles from the crowd. Meanwhile, the naive character Calandrino falls victim to deceit and injustice once more. But as we hear stories of those exhibiting extraordinary kindness and morality amidst a harsh and unjust society, a question arises: is it appropriate to laugh at Calandrino’s misfortune or find inspiration in the nobility of others? Beneath the surface of this tale, emotions are stirred – it’s just a story, yet the characters discover hope.
In Boccaccio’s masterpiece, The Decameron, most characters find themselves entangled in stories of love and desire. I, as an avid fan, can relate as I see Sirisco, the humble servant at Villa Santa, succumbing to Pampinea’s seductive advances, or at least leaving her with a child. The charming Dioneo, a physician, becomes the focus of almost every character’s infatuation. Neifile, one among them, is captivated by Dioneo due to their long-standing platonic relationship with her husband, Panfilo. And this is just the beginning!
Delving into Boccaccio’s work feels like peeking behind the curtains of a passionate world, not merely a theatrical backdrop. His narrative is replete with allusions to carnal desires, many of which are derived from ancient Greek and Latin stories or contemporary authors such as Geoffrey Chaucer. Boccaccio’s portrayal of sinful acts was both a cautionary tale and a captivating diversion, albeit one that left no stone unturned. The Decameron, Boccaccio’s masterpiece, was so brimming with debauchery, even involving the clergy, that it eventually earned the disapproval of the Roman Catholic Church and was subsequently banned.
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2024-07-30 01:32