Decameron Theme of Social Class

The mid-14th century was a time of change—a transitional time between medieval society and the new values and interests of the Renaissance. The feudal economic system of lords and serfs was giving way to a mercantile system, where goods were traded globally and merchants became as important to the economy as the noble landowners. A growing middle class took a larger role in society, and wealthier middle-class merchants could aspire to buy estates and marry into the nobility. Was the aristocracy happy about this challenge to their authority? Did they welcome these nuova gente, these nouveau riche, arrivistes, these upstarts? No, they did not.

Some of our tales have a decidedly medieval flavor, with noble and pious ladies and gentlemen doing pious and noble things. The brigata speak among themselves with a flowery medieval style, sing medieval songs and perform traditional medieval dances. But the tales often reflect a Renaissance outlook: an appreciation of ingenuity and street smarts, an emphasis on the real, attention to merchants and artisans as the new movers and shakers. Boccaccio clearly believes that virtue and nobility belong to one's character, not one's birth.

The question of women's place in this social hierarchy is complicated. Across all social classes, women were seen as subservient and soft, unsuited by their feminine nature to manage economic or political affairs. Some of the stories promote this idea; some turn it on its head. In the ideal surroundings of their country estate, equality seems to reign among the ladies and gentlemen of the brigata. But the final tale they here is a rude awakening to what they'll probably find back home.

1. What are the social issues that most concern Boccaccio in The Decameron?
2. Take a closer look at the Introduction to the First Day. How does Boccaccio view the dissolution of morals, civility and kinship bonds during the plague years in Florence?
3. Consider moments of domestic abuse in the tales of The Decameron. How do the characters in these stories and the storytellers react to the abusers?
4. What do you think is Boccaccio's attitude towards the lower social classes?

The working and merchant classes seem to have much more fun in The Decameron.

Crossing class boundaries by "marrying up" can be disastrous because it disrupts the normal social order.