Humanities 1010

Lange / Fall 1998

First Day/First Story

1. Characterize the mood/theme of the story.
2. Discuss what Panfilo says about God's power in the opening paragraph of his story. Does he exercise just conventional piety?
3. Discuss the long introduction of the actual story. What social classes are described? How do these classes interact? Why do you think is it so important for Boccaccio to elaborate on it?
4. What religious institution is ridiculed?
5. Why does Boccaccio elaborate on the sins of Ciapelletto? Explain the quotation: "But why do I lavish so many words upon him?"
6. Characterize the dialogue/confession between the friar Ciappelletto. Characterize the friar.
7. Discuss the significance of the death of Ciapelletto.
8. Discuss the role of language.

Fourth Day/Second Story

1. Discuss the wit and humor in this story of Alberto and Lisetta. Pay particular attention to epithets allotted to Lisetta; the part played by her friend, along with her attitude; details of the double personality of Alberto-Gabriel; the poetic justice of the conclusion.
2. Why is the story of Brother Alberto and Lisetta literature? This story might have existed in the form of an anecdote before it became part of the Decameron. Re-write it in anecdotal form by condensing it into one paragraph. What are the differences between your anecdote and Boccaccio's story?
3. Although her credulity is to be laughed at, Lisetta is not alone in having been deeply influenced by the visual depictions she has seen in church of the angel Gabriel at the feet of the virgin Mary. Explain the power of such artistic representations on the illiterate and the simple in Medieval Europe.

Fifth Day/ Ninth Story

Should we admire Federigo and the lady to whom he was devoted? Discuss this in the context of faithful though unrewarding devotion. You may refer to Eliduc and compare the notions of love in these stories.

General Questions: