Decameron Theme of Friendship

As you read the story of Alessandro and the Abbot (II.3), you might think Alessandro's an idiot to be surprised that the Abbot's invited him to share a bed. But you'll have to go easy on Alessandro for missing the sexual innuendo and seeing it as a sign of friendship. Friendship in the middle ages—especially male friendship—was given a lot of latitude and perceived as the most fulfilling relationship of all. Admiration for friendship exceeded that given to relationships between men and women and could pre-empt kinship ties. Your be-fri could become a second self, one for whom you'd do anything because it would be just as good as doing it for yourself. This kind of friendship can only exist between two virtuous people, and it goes beyond pleasure or usefulness. It lasts forever, even through serious challenges (like falling in love with your friend's lady). As such, writers and philosophers got pretty soppy over it. So take it easy on Alessandro. He doesn't realize that the Abbot will be his best girl just yet; he's just trying to find his soul mate.

Boccaccio tells us in his introduction that he writes these tales to console ladies in love, because he knows the pain of lost love. He says that "But in my anguish I have on occasion derived much relief from the agreeable conversation and the admirable expression of sympathy offered by friends, without which I am firmly convinced that I should have perished." He decides to pay the favor forward. In a way, The Decameron can be considered a gesture of friendship to the lovelorn ladies (source).

1. How does Boccaccio define friendship in the Prologue and tales?
2. In what ways does female friendship (between women) differ from male friendship in the world of The Decameron?
3. Would you define the bond between the members of the brigata as friendship?
4. Read between the lines a bit and consider this: for which groups of people is friendship not an option?

In the world of The Decameron, friendship is really only possible between men.

Friendship is the great social equalizer in these tales. While unequal love matches can hardly be made without bloodshed, friendship can blossom between two men of unequal social standing.