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The Decameron

The Decameron, a collection of novellas written by Giovanni Boccaccio, a master in storytelling, became popular not long after it was published around 1351. It inspired writers such as Chaucer, Shakespeare and Keats.

It is the year 1348, the plague is depleting the population in Florence. People hurriedly cross streets not to meet anyone who might be contaminated. There are unburied corpses everywhere, and the stench of death permeates the city. This is not a place for young people who want to live and enjoy life.

Seven young women and three young men escape the city and, for ten days, in the beautiful setting of the Tuscany countryside, live vicariously, telling irreverent, mischievous, and daring stories, full of imagination and good humor.

Although The Decameron comprises 1000 narratives, this course will focus on a selection of 100 stories translated by Peter Hainsworth. It will require one hour to one hour and a half reading per week. This course will meet for five weeks beginning March 31, and we will use as a text the Penguin Classics edition: Giovanni Boccaccio – Tales from the Decameron.

  • Group Leader(s): FRANCESCA PIANA
  • Days: Tuesdays
  • Times: 10:00 am to noon
  • Start Date: 3/31/2020
  • End Date: 4/28/2020
  • Sessions: 5
  • Exceptions: recurring
  • Venue: King's Chapel Parish House
  • Teaching Style: Seminar
  • Weekly Preparation: 1 - 1.5 hours
  • Biography:

    Francesca Piana received a B.A. and M.A. in history from the University of San Francisco. She also received an M.A. in Spanish literature at the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain. She taught history, international relations, and Spanish literature at the University of San Francisco, Phillips Exeter Academy, and Phillips Academy in Andover before retiring. She was director of summer programs for Phillips Exeter and Phillips Academy in Salamanca, Spain and director of School Year Abroad in Barcelona, Spain.
  • Address: 64 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108
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