The Impacts of Boccaccios Writing Style on the Tone of...

Boccaccios Decameron is a masterpiece of early 14th century European literature; its bawdiness and its sheer wit are a wonderful, funny indicator of what life was like in 14th century Italy. However, the central framing device of the book itself - the Black Plague, which ravaged Europe around the time of the books setting and publication - plays a somber but vital role in this important work. The importance of the plague to the story is no less evident than in the introduction, which demonstrates the awesome power of the sickness. Boccaccios account of the plague during the time it hit Florence is often compared to real accounts and additional sources of information about the Black Plague, but it is often left wanting due to Boccaccios penchant for embellishment and dramatic flair. Furthermore, Boccaccios emphasis in the introduction of the Black Plague was often on the unstoppability and sheer terror of the disease, including how swiftly it spread throughout the country and peoples helplessness in treating it. Boccaccios writing style is very dramatic and humorous, with a particular emphasis on philosophy as it pertains to luck. The following analysis will weigh the introduction of the Decameron according to these criteria. Boccaccio starts the Decameron with an introduction that immediately demonstrates his artistic and dramatic flair - Every time I stop to consider your natural inclination to pity, most gracious ladies, I recognize that you will find the opening