Black Death Term Paper

14th Century Western Civilization

Social Criticism on a Patriarchal and Christian Society in Giovanni Boccaccio's "The Decameron"

Western civilization during the 14th century is characteristically considered as the "rebirth" of Greek and Roman cultures, which have declined after its glorious classical and Golden Age revolution during the Middle Ages. This 'rebirth' is referred to as the Renaissance movement, which are the revival of classical cultures and the emergence of the humanist movement. Italy, in particular, had become the cradle of human development of the Renaissance period, which brought about individualism, humanism, religious revolution (or reform), and the Scientific Revolution. In the midst of these developments, Giovanni Boccaccio, famous Italian writer and humanist, depicts life during the Renaissance movement and the Black Death, where European nations, particularly Italy, was ravaged and reduced in population. The Black Death was the result of a deadly plague caused by infected rodents that came from the Middle East and traveled to the Europe through trade routes (aboard trade ships). The glory of the Renaissance movement and destruction of the Black Death is illustrated effectively in "The Decameron" (Ten Days' Work), written by Boccaccio from 1348 to 1353.

In "The Decameron," Boccaccio did not only narrated to his readers the two significant events in human history during the 14th century, but provides social criticism, through anecdotes narrated by the characters in the novel, issues about patriarchy and women marginalization and dominance and abuses of the Church in the society. Through each day or chapters in the novel, Boccaccio illustrates in concrete details and examples how this social stratification has prevailed in Italian society (and in general, European society) for many years. Furthermore, this paper discusses how Boccaccio uses "The Decameron" as a medium through which the author implies that the Renaissance and Black Death are events that signify protest against the inequalities prevalent in Italian society prior and during these events. In the Introduction of "The Decameron," Boccaccio sets the social climate of Italy during the Renaissance and Black Death period. He states that Italian society in 1348 is in a state where "... The noble city of Florence, which for its great beauty excels... was visited by the deadly pestilence... In the face of its onrush, all the wisdom and ingenuity of man were unavailing." Boccaccio pertains to the age of rebirth in his society; however, he also shows how society coped up with the sufferings that the Black Plague had brought to the people. The author does not provide a historical account of the two significant events, but instead looks at the 'human side' of the Renaissance and Black Death, where Boccaccio informs the readers about the society's reaction to the plague that ravaged their country.

The first group consists of those people that believe that the Black Plague "was a punishment signifying God's righteous anger at our iniquitous way of life." Responding to this belief, this group of people adopted a "sober and abstemious mode of living," which they believed to be an effective way to lessen the impact of the plague in their lives.

Thus, they isolated themselves from their community and sought refuge in the comfort of their homes. The second group, on the other hand, is the anti-thesis of the first group. Instead of taking precautions to lessen the impact of the plague, this group had "maintained an infallible way of warding off this appalling evil was to... enjoy life to the full... And shrug the whole thing off as one enormous joke."

The third group is a moderate mix of the first two groups, opting to live life to the fullest, "thinking it an excellent idea to fortify the brain...for the stench of the dead bodies... seemed to fill and pollute the whole of the atmosphere." Lastly, the last group of people in Boccacio's society fled from their homes and sought refuge in the countryside, believing that their city was cursed by…